Yersinia spp. Polypeptides and Methods of Use

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a  Yersinia  spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/646,106, filed Jan. 21, 2005, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

There are three Yersinia species that are pathogenic to humans: Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, and Y. enterocolitica. Y. pestis is the causative agent of plague, while Y. pseudotuberculosis and specific pathogenic serovars of Y. enterocolitica cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Other species of Yersinia, including Y. rohdei, Y. aldovae, Y. bercovieri, Y. frederiksenii, Y. intermedia, Y. kristensenii, and Y. moolaretti, are considered enterocolitica-like opportunist pathogens with the ability to cause diarrheal illness in susceptible individuals (Agbonlahor, J Clin Microbiol, 23, 891-6, (1986), Cafferkey, et al., J Hosp Infect, 24, 109-15, (1993), Loftus, et al., Dig Dis Sci, 47, 2805-10, (2002)). The Yersinia can also infect other animal species causing a range of illnesses. Most wild and domestic species of mammals are prone to infections with the enteropathogens Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseduotuberculosis, although most of these infections are subclinical and such animals usually serve only as asymptomatic carriers of the pathogens for transmission to humans (Fantasia, et al., J Clin Microbiol, 22, 314-5, (1985), Fantasia, et al., Vet Rec, 132, 532-4, (1993), Fukushima, et al., J Clin Microbiol, 18, 981-2, (1983), Kageyama, et al., J Med Primatol, 31, 129-35, (2002), Kato, et al., Appl Environ Microbiol, 49, 198-200, (1985), Poelma, et al., Acta Zool Pathol Antverp, 3-9, (1977), Shayegani, et al., Appl Environ Microbiol, 52, 420-4, (1986), Yanagawa, et al., Microbiol Immunol, 22, 643-6, (1978).). However, there are reports that the enteropathogenic Yersinia have been associated with diarrheal illness and general malaise in domestic animals such as sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, dogs, birds and farmed deer (Jerrett, I. V., et al., Aust Vet J, 67, 212-4, (1990), Slee, K. J., et al., Aust Vet J, 65, 271-5, (1988), Slee, K. J. and C. Button, Aust Vet J, 67, 396-8, (1990), Slee, K. J. and C. Button, Aust Vet J, 67, 320-2, (1990), Zheng, X. B., J Appl Bacteriol, 62, 521-5, (1987)). Y. pestis can cause disease in a variety of rodent species as well as nonhuman primates (Davis, K. J., et al., Arch Pathol Lab Med, 120, 156-63, (1996), Meyer, K. F., et al., Infect Dis, 129, Suppl: S85-12, (1974). Y. pestis is also associated with potentially severe infections in domestic cats (Gasper, P. W., et al., J Med Entomol, 30, 20-6, (1993)) and a few cases of Y. pestis infection have been reported in dogs (Orloski, K. A. and M. Eidson, J Am Vet Med Assoc, 207, 316-8, (1995)). In addition, Yersinia ruckeri is a pathogen of fish, causing redmouth disease in salmonids (Furones, M. D., et al., Ann. Rev. Fish Dis., 3, 105-125, (1993)).

Plague is undoubtedly one of the most devastating acute infectious disease in the recorded history of man, estimated to have killed 100 to 200 million people worldwide (Perry, R. D. and J. D. Fetherston, Clin Microbiol Rev, 10, 35-66, (1997)). In recent years plague outbreaks have been relatively uncommon in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, although endemic foci exist in all continents except Australia. Worldwide surveys indicated 2000 to 5000 annual cases of plague reported in the last several years, although epidemiologists suspect that many human cases of plague are unreported. Y. pseudotuberculosis outbreaks are fairly rare, and have occurred primarily in Finland, Japan, and the former Soviet Union (Inoue, M., et al., Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg [B], 186, 504-511, (1988), Nuorti, J. P., et al., J Infect Dis, 189, 766-774, (2004), Rodina, L. V., et al., Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 116-118, (1998), Toyokawa, Y., et al., Kansenshogaku Zasshi, 67, 36-44, (1993)). Most Y. pseudotuberculosis infections are assumed to be transmitted by the oral-fecal route; however, a vehicle of transmission has not been identified in many cases. In the United States, infections by Y. enterocolitica are more common than those with Y. pseudotuberculosis, and are typically associated with the consumption of contaminated pork products (Ray, S. M., et al., Clin Infect Dis, 38 Suppl 3, S181-189, (2004)). The incidence of human disease caused by the Y. enterocolitica in the U.S. is difficult to determine, simply because infections associated with this organism are typically self-limiting and insufficient detection techniques have limited the ability to correctly diagnose the causative agent. However, FoodNet surveillance for 1996-1999 estimated approximately 1 case of Y. enterocolitica infection per 100,000 in the United States (Ray, S. M., et al., Clin Infect Dis, 38 Suppl 3, S181-189, (2004)).

Plague is an infectious disease of animals and humans having both enzootic and epizootic components of transmission. The most naturally occurring means of transmission is from an infected rodent reservoir to fleas, which serve as natural vectors for transmission to humans. However, human-to-human transmission can also occur by direct contact or respiratory inhalation of contaminated droplets (Pneumonic form). Nevertheless, in natural infections Y. pestis typically enter humans by a subcutaneous route into the bloodstream, where they travel to the lymph nodes and begin to multiply. Clinical manifestations of plague include large swollen masses near the lymph nodes, referred to as bubos. Occasionally, Y. pestis multiplies rapidly in the bloodstream, inducing septicemia with an accompanying general malaise that includes fever, headache, chills, and occasionally gastrointestinal disturbances. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed early, and antibiotic therapy may therefore be administered too late for effective intervention. Septicemic infection by Y. pestis has a 50% fatality rate (Perry, R. D. and J. D. Fetherston, Clin Microbiol Rev, 10, 35-66, (1997)), and can lead to pulmonary infection. The pneumonic form of plague is extremely infectious by the aerosol route and is characterized by a rapid onset of disease and a mortality rate close to 100%. Therefore, although antibiotic therapies are available and effective if administered early, the rapid onset of pneumonic plague and the misdiagnosis of septicemic plague are major obstacles in treatment of the disease.

Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis are considered enteropathogens since most human infections are transmitted by the fecal-oral route and are limited to the gastrointestinal tract. In a normal host, Y. enterocolitica causes a diarrheal illness, which may be accompanied by fever and lower quadrant pain that mimics appendicitis. Y. pseudotuberculosis typically does not cause diarrheal illness, and is more likely to cause mesenteric lymphadenitis which can be misdiagnosed as appendicitis. Following ingestion, both organisms attach to the intestinal lymphoid tissues and traverse the mucosal layer, where they can subsequently multiply in the mesenteric lymph nodes and migrate to the spleen and liver (Lian, C. J., et al., J Med Microbiol, 24, 219-226, (1987), Une, T., Microbiol Immunol, 21, 505-516, (1977)). Y. pseudotuberculosis and some serotypes of Y. enterocolitica can also spread to the vascular system and cause fatal cases of septicemia (Bottone, E. J., Clin. Microbiol. Rev., 10, 257-276, (1997), Lenz, T., et al., J Infect Dis, 150, 963, (1984)), although these more invasive infections are typically limited to susceptible individuals. Y. enterocolitica has also been associated with septicemia following blood transfusions; in these cases, the blood supply was contaminated with the organism, which can survive and grow at refrigeration temperatures (Natkin, J. B., K G, Clin Lab Med, 19, 523-536, (1999)). Furthei more, intestinal Yersinia infections can lead to delayed sequelae such as reactive arthritis and thyroiditis (Bottone, E. J., Clin. Microbiol. Rev., 10, 257-276, (1997), Gaston, J. S., et al., Arthritis Rheum., 42, 2239-2242, (1999), Taccetti, G., et al., Clin Exp Rheumatol, 12, 681-684, (1994)). Antibiotic therapy has not been demonstrated to reduce the severity or duration of gastrointestinal illness caused by these two pathogens (Hoogkamp-Korstanje, J., J Antimicrob Chemother, 20, 123, (1987), Pai, C. H., et al., J Pediatr, 104, 308-11, (1984)). However, a susceptible host is typically treated with antibiotics to prevent more serious clinical manifestations of disease. Septicemia caused by either of these enteropathogens is also generally treated with antibiotics, and such therapies are frequently successful against Y. enterocolitica (Gayraud, M., et al., Clin Infect Dis, 17, 405-10, (1993)). In contrast, antibiotic therapy has traditionally been less effective in patients where septicemia is caused by Y. pseudotuberculosis, and the mortality rate associated with Y. pseudotuberculosis septicemia is approximately 75% (Natkin, J. B., KG, Clin Lab Med, 19, 523-536, (1999)).

Although natural infection by Y. pestis is rare in this country, there is fear that the organism will become a bioterrorism agent. As a tool of deliberate mass infection, the Y. pestis organism is a prime candidate due to several characteristics. First, the organism is highly infectious when spread by aerosol, a convenient method of mass dissemination. Second, there is a high mortality rate associated with Y. pestis infection if left untreated, and the pneumonic form of plague is distinguished by a rapid onset of symptoms that may be recognized too late for an effective intervention. Finally, Y. pestis has a well-defined genetic system, thus antibiotic-resistant strains are relatively easy to engineer.

Several plague vaccines with varying levels of efficacy and safety have been investigated. One of the earliest vaccines consisted of killed whole cells (KWC) of Y. pestis; this type of vaccine was first used in the late 1890's and confers protection against the bubonic form of plague. However, there is evidence that KWC immunizations offer little protection against pneumonic plague (Cohen, R. J. and J. L. Stockard, JAMA, 202, 365-366, (1967), Meyer, K. F., Bull World Health Organ, 42, 653-666, (1970)), and an additional drawback to these vaccines is that multiple injections over several months are required for protective immunity. An attenuated strain of Y. pestis, strain EV76, has been studied as a live vaccine for plague. In mouse studies, this vaccine has been shown to protect against both subcutaneous and inhalation challenges and requires as few as one dose for protection (Russell, P., et al., Vaccine, 13, 1551-1556, (1995)). However, strain EV76 is not fully avirulent, causing death in approximately 1% of vaccinated mice (Russell, P., et al., Vaccine, 13, 1551-1556, (1995)). Interestingly, there have been several unsuccessful attempts to create an avirulent strain of Y. pestis suitable for use as a live vaccine (Titball, R. W. and E. D. Williamson, Vaccine, 19, 4175-4184, (2001)).

Subunit vaccines are considered to be the most promising type of vaccine for safe and effective prevention of plague, primarily because there is no fear of adverse effects in a human host. Several surface proteins associated with Yersinia virulence were tested for their immunogenicity; all of these proteins induced an antibody response but only the F1 capsule and the secreted V antigen elicited good protection against challenge (Titball, R. W. and E. D. Williamson, Vaccine, 19, 4175-4184, (2001)). Both F1 and V antigen provide protection as individual antigens in animal models, although the combination of the two antigens provides superior protection. Many recent studies have tested F1/V vaccines formulated with alternative adjuvants in an attempt to find the best delivery system for the F1 and V antigens (Alpar, H. O., et al., Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev., 51, 173-201, (2001), Eyles, J. E., et al., J Control Release, 63, 191-200, (2000), Jones, S. M., et al., Vaccine, 19, 358-366, (2001), Reddin, K. M., et al., Vaccine, 16, 761-767, (1998), Williamson, E. D., et al., Vaccine, 19, 566-571, (2000), Williamson, E. D., et al., Vaccine, 14, 1613-9, (1996)).

Other innovative strategies have used attenuated Salmonella strains as vaccine carriers for Y. pestis antigens. When a Salmonella aroA mutant expressing an F1/V fusion protein was used as a vaccine strain, 86% of mice survived a subsequent lethal challenge dose of Y. pestis (Leary, S. E., et al., Microb Pathog, 23, 167-179, (1997)). Similarly, a vaccine consisting of a DNA plasmid bearing a gene encoding truncated-F1 capsule provided 80 to 100% protection in different mouse strains (Grosfeld, H., et al., Infect Immun, 71, 374-383, (2003)). In addition, a group of investigators mapped the B- and T-cell epitopes of the F1 antigen and utilized the immunoreactive peptides in vaccine formulations (Sabhnani, L., et al., FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 38, 215-29, (2003)). Their results indicated that a mixture of epitopic peptides protected 83% of mice against a lethal dose of Y. pestis.

In contrast to the extensive search for protective plague vaccines, very little research efforts have been focused on preventing infections by the enteropathogenic Yersinia species. However, a few studies have demonstrated promising results. For example, attenuated Y. enterocolitica strains administered orally to mice displayed protective effects, reducing the bacterial load in the spleen and liver following oral challenge (Igwe, E. I., et al., Infect Immun, 67, 5500-5507, (1999)). However, these strains were engineered primarily as live oral vaccine carriers, and no further testing of these strains for prevention of yersiniosis has been reported. Two subunit vaccines were demonstrated as effective in animal models of infection. The first consisted of cellular extracts from Y. enterocolitica and was administered intranasally to mice. The immunized mice demonstrated enhanced clearance of an intranasal challenge dose of Y. enterocolitica from the lungs (Di Genaro, M. S., et al., Microbiol. Immunol., 42, 781-788, (1998)). A second subunit vaccine was formulated using a heat shock protein HSP60 from Y. enterocolitica adjuvanted with interleukin-12 (Noll, A. and AutenriethIb, Infect Immun, 64, 2955-2961, (1996)). Immunizations with this vaccine resulted in significantly fewer bacteria in mouse spleens following challenge, illustrating a protective effect. Additional work utilized a vaccine consisting of DNA encoding the Y. enterocolitica HSP60 in intramuscular immunizations in mice (Noll, A., et al., Eur J Immunol, 29, 986-996, (1999)). This study demonstrated that hsp60 mRNA was present in various host tissues following immunization, but protection against Y. enterocolitica challenge was limited to the spleen and no protection was observed in the intestinal mucosa.

The similarities and differences between the diseases caused by the pathogenic Yersinia species have been the focus of much research in the past decade. This is partly due to several observations that suggest the pathogenic Yersinia provide a useful model of pathogen evolution. First, DNA hybridization studies and recent genomic comparisons of fully sequenced Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis strains have indicated that these two pathogens are highly related (Chain, P. S., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 101, 13826-13831, (2004), Ibrahim, A., et al., FEMS Microbiol Lett, 114, 173-177, (1993)), and it has been estimated that Y. pestis evolved from Y. pseudotuberculosis as recently as 1,500 to 20,000 years ago (Achtman, M., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 96, 14043-14048, (1999)). However, despite their close evolutionary relationship, Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. pestis cause very different diseases in humans. Furthermore, partial sequencing and 16s RNA hybridization studies suggested that Y. enterocolitica is more distantly related to the other pathogenic species of this genus (Ibrahim, A., et al., FEMS Microbiol Lett, 114, 173-177, (1993), Moore, R. L. and R. R. Brubaker, Int J Syst Bacteriol, 25, 336-339, (1975)), although Y. enterocolitica causes gastrointestinal infections similar to those observed with Y. pseudotuberculosis. Recent research has thus been focused on the virulence genes of the three pathogenic Yersinia species in an attempt to elucidate the different mechanisms they employ to cause disease. Mouse models have been particularly instructive in studying Yersinia pathogenesis, since all three species cause similar diseases in mice when injected intravenously, and more natural infections can be effectively simulated through oral and pneumonic challenge routes in mice.

A few virulence factors are unique to Y. pestis. These include proteins encoded on the Y. pestis plasmids pPCP and pMT, plasmids that are not found in Y. enterocolitica or Y. pseudotuberculosis. The pPCP plasmid encodes the plasminogen activator, a protein involved in rapid dissemination of bacteria into mammalian host tissues following subcutaneous injection (Sodeinde, 0. A., et al., Science, 258, 1004-1007, (1992)). The pMT plasmid harbors at least two genes that aid in the infection of non-human hosts. The pMT-encoded caf1 gene is required for assembly of the F1 capsule, a factor that inhibits phagocytosis in the murine host but is not required for virulence in primates (Friedlander, A. M., et al., Clin. Infect. Dis., 21 Suppl 2, S178-181, (1995)). The murine toxin is also encoded on the pMT plasmid, and is believed to promote survival in the flea although it is not a required virulence factor in murine hosts (Hinnebusch, B. J., et al., Science, 296, 733-735, (2002), Hinnebusch, J., et al., Int J Med Microbiol, 290, 483-487, (2000)). Other differences between the species are the structures of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecules produced by the yersiniae. Both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis express variable O-antigen side chains, which have been theorized to enhance survival in the gastrointestinal tract (Reeves, P., Trends Microbiol., 3, 381-386, (1995)) and may inhibit complement-mediated lysis during invasive disease (Karlyshev, A. V., et al., Infect Immun, 69, 7810-7819, (2001)). In contrast, Y. pestis has a rough LPS phenotype with no O-specific side chains due to mutations in several O-antigen biosynthesis genes (Prior, J. G., et al., Microb. Pathog., 30, 48-57, (2001), Skurnik, M. P., A; Ervela, E, Mol Microbiol, 37, 316-330, (2000)).

Interestingly, genomic sequencing projects revealed that several virulence genes present in all three pathogenic Yersinia species have acquired mutations in Y. pestis that rendered them non-functional (Chain, P. S., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 101, 13826-13831, (2004), Parkhill, J., et al., Nature, 413, 523-527, (2001)). Some of these encode invasin proteins that function during intestinal invasion in the enteropathogenic Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis species, a host niche not colonized by Y. pestis (Simonet, M., et al., Infect Immun, 64, 375-379, (1996)). Other genes with lost function in Y. pestis include those involved in intermediary metabolism, and these functional losses are theorized to be part of the evolution of Y. pestis into an obligate parasitic species with the inability to survive outside the host (Parkhill, J., et al., Nature, 413, 523-527, (2001)). Research on the pathogenesis of Yersinia has largely been focused on the 70 kb virulence plasmid that is found in all pathogenic species of Yersinia. The sequence of this plasmid, called pYV in Y. pseudotuberculosis and pathogenic Y. enterocolitica and pCD1 in Y. pestis, is remarkably conserved between Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. pestis (Chain, P. S., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 101, 13826-13831, (2004)). Accordingly, the more distantly-related Y. enterocolitica species harbors a more divergent pYV plasmid, but the virulence gene sequences are highly conserved among all three species (Hu, P., et al., J Bacteriol, 180, 5192-5202, (1998), Snellings, N. J., et al., Infect Immun, 69, 4627-38, (2001)). Focus on this plasmid began when experiments determined that the pYV plasmid is absolutely required for virulence of Yersinia, although the plasmid alone cannot restore virulence to specific avirulent strains suggesting that non-pVY genes are also involved in pathogenesis (Heesemann, J., et al., Infect Immun, 46, 105-110, (1984), Heesemann, J. and R. Laufs, J Bacteriol, 155, 761-767, (1983)). A large locus on this plasmid encodes the Ysc-Yop system, a type III secretion system and its associated effector proteins. This system was the first example of a type III secretion apparatus, now identified in many animal and plant microbial pathogens (for review, see Cornelis, G. R., Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol., 3, 742-752, (2002)). The Yersinia Yop-Ysc secretion system includes “injectisome” proteins, translocator effector proteins, and Yop effector proteins. Electron microscopy and labeling studies with various type III secretory systems revealed that the injectisome proteins form a pore spanning the cytoplasmic and outer membranes of the bacteria and project a needle-like structure from the cell surface (Blocker, A., et al., Mol. Microbiol., 39, 652-663, (2001), Kimbrough, T. G. and S. I. Miller, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 97, 11008-11013, (2000), Kubori, T., et al., Science, 280, 602-605, (1998), Sukhan, A., et al., J Bacteriol, 183, 1159-1167, (2001)). The translocator proteins appear to interact with host macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), forming a pore-like structure in the host cell membrane (Neyt, C. and G. R. Cornelis, Mol Microbiol, 33, 971-981, (1999)). The assembled secretion apparatus then allows the effector Yops to be translocated across the bacterial cell membranes and injected into the host cell, where they function by interfering with various immune response pathways (Bleves, S, and G. R. Cornelis, Microbes Infect., 2, 1451-1460, (2000), Cornelis, G. R., Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol., 3, 742-752, (2002)). The yadA gene is also present on the pYV plasmid, encoding the YadA adhesin with the ability to bind and adhere to eukaryotic cells (Eitel, J. and P. Dersch, Infect Immun, 70, 4880-91, (2002), Skurnik, M., et al., Infect Immun, 62, 1252-61, (1994)). This protein only appears to be functional in the enteropathogenic Yersinia, as a frameshift mutation in the Y. pestis yadA gene renders it non-functional (Hu, P., et al., J Bacteriol, 180, 5192-5202, (1998)).

The involvement of iron in Yersinia infections has long been established. For example, iron-overloaded patients such as those afflicted with β-thalassemia are highly susceptible to Yersinia infections (Farmakis, D., et al., Med. Sci. Monit., 9, RA19-22, (2003)). Furthermore, virulence could be restored in specific avirulent Y. pestis mutants by the addition of heme or heme-containing compounds (Burrows, T. W. and S. Jackson, Br. J. Exp. Pathol., 37, 577-583, (1956)). These early observations with Yersinia and other bacteria led researchers to study some of the microbial mechanisms of iron uptake. In mammalian hosts, available iron is extremely limited; intracellular iron is complexed with storage proteins, and extracellular iron is bound by the host proteins transferrin and lactoferrin. These iron-restricted conditions limit the growth of microbial invaders, thus acting as a defense barrier to infection. Many pathogens have evolved the ability to scavenge iron under these iron-poor conditions, effectively “stealing” iron from transferrin or heme-containing compounds. One of the most common mechanisms utilized by bacteria is the synthesis and secretion of siderophores, small molecules with a high affinity for iron (Andrews, S. C., et al., FEMS Microbiol. Rev., 27, 215-237, (2003)). The iron-siderophore complexes are bound by outer membrane receptors on the bacterial cell surface, and through the concerted action of outer membrane, periplasmic, and ABC transporter proteins, iron is transported into the cell. Other outer membrane receptors can directly bind heme and heme-containing compounds, scavenging the iron from these molecules. The role of several Yersinia iron uptake systems has been elucidated, while many more putative systems have been identified but not characterized.

Although Yersinia can use various siderophores produced by other bacteria and fungi to obtain iron, yersiniabactin is the only Yersinia-produced siderophore that has been detected (Baumler, A., et al., Zentralbl. Bakteriol., 278, 416-424, (1993), Rabsch, W. and G. Winkelmann, Biol Met, 4, 244-250, (1991), Reissbrodt, R. and W. Rabsch, Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg [A], 268, 306-317, (1988)). The yersiniabactin system is encoded by the ybt genes present on the chromosomal high-pathogenicity island (HPI), a locus that is associated with highly pathogenic strains of Yersinia (de Almeida, A. M., et al., Microb. Pathog., 14, 9-21, (1993), Rakin, A., et al., J Bacteriol, 177, 2292-2298, (1995)). The ybt genes encode proteins involved in the synthesis and secretion of the siderophore yersiniabactin (ybtS, irp1, irp2, ybtE, ybtT), as well as the cytoplasmic (ybtP, ybtQ) and outer membrane proteins (psn/fyuA) required for uptake of the iron-yersiniabactin complexes (Carniel, E., Microbes Infect., 3, 561-569, (2001)). Mutations in genes for yersiniabactin synthesis and/or uptake resulted in reduced Yersinia virulence in mouse models of infection (Bearden, S. W., et al., Infect. Immun., 65, 1659-1668, (1997), Brem, D., et al., Microbiology, 147, 1115-1127, (2001), Rakin, A., et al., Mol Microbiol, 13, 253-263, (1994)), indicating that this system is an important virulence factor in Yersinia pathogenesis. The nucleotide sequence of the ybt genes are at least 97% identical between the three pathogenic Yersinia species (Carniel, E., Microbes Infect., 3, 561-569, (2001), Chain, P. S., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 101, 13826-13831, (2004)), and the Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis ybt systems were demonstrated to be interchangeable (Perry, R. D., et al., Microbiology, 145 (Pt 5), 1181-1190, (1999)). These analyses indicated that the functions of these homologs are likely conserved among the three species. Furthermore, the HP1 has been discovered in various pathogenic species including some strains of E. coli, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella (Bach, S., et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett., 183, 289-294, (2000)). The Ybt proteins expressed by these organisms are quite similar; indeed, antibodies raised against several of the Yersinia Ybt proteins recognized the corresponding proteins from the other pathogens (Bach, S., et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett., 183, 289-294, (2000), Karch, H., et al., Infect Immun, 67, 5994-6001, (1999)). These results suggest that the acquisition of the ybt system is relatively recent among these pathogens and may have contributed to the invasive phenotypes associated with many of these serotypes.

Several additional ybt-independent iron uptake systems have been detected in Yersinia species based on mutation analysis, homology to known iron acquisition proteins, or the presence of iron-responsive regulatory elements. One such regulatory element is the “Fur box,” a nucleotide sequence that binds the regulatory protein Fur when it is complexed with iron. The binding of Fe-Fur to a Fur box represses transcription of downstream promoters, and when iron becomes limiting, apo-Fur dissociates from DNA and transcription is derepressed. Fur and its homologs have been found in most species of bacteria, and regulate many genes in addition to iron uptake systems in diverse organisms (Campoy, S., et al., Microbiology, 148, 1039-1048, (2002), Horsburgh, M. J., et al., Infect Immun, 69, 3744-3754, (2001), Sebastian, S., et al., J Bacteriol, 184, 3965-3974, (2002), Stojiljkovic, I., et al., J Mol Biol, 236, 531-545, (1994)). Analysis of the Y. pestis genome identified many genes with Fur boxes upstream of their respective promoters, most of which encoded proteins with homology to known iron uptake systems (Panina, E. M., et al., Nucleic Acids Res, 29, 5195-5206, (2001)). Although few of these genes have been studied for function, several appear to encode iron-siderophore receptor proteins (omrA, irgA, itrA, ihaB, fauA) and iron ABC transporters (itsTUS, itpPTS). Since Yersinia can utilize siderophores produced by other organisms, these proteins may be responsible for the “siderophore piracy” observed with Yersinia. Such methods of iron acquisition are common among bacterial pathogens.

Several studies have elucidated the functions of other putative iron uptake systems. For example, the Hmu system of Y. pestis was demonstrated to acquire iron through the uptake of heme and heme-containing compounds (Hornung, J. M., et al., Mol Microbiol, 20, 725-39, (1996)). Although the ability to use heme as an iron source seems advantageous for a pathogen, the Y. pestis hmu mutant was fully virulent in a mouse model of infection (Thompson, J. M., et al., Infect Immun, 67, 3879-92, (1999)). A second putative heme-uptake system was identified in Y. pestis on the basis of sequence homology. The has genes of Y. pestis are homologs of the hemophore-dependent heme acquisition genes of Pseudomonas and Serratia (Rossi, M. S., et al., Infect Immun, 69, 6707-6717, (2001)). In these organisms, a hemophore (HasA) is secreted that binds heme and delivers it to bacterial surface receptors (HasR) to transport heme into the cell. The Y. pestis HasA protein was determined to be Fur-regulated, secreted, and capable of binding heme. However, a mutation in these genes had no effect on virulence in the mouse, even when a double mutant was tested (Rossi, M. S., et al., Infect Immun, 69, 6707-6717, (2001)). Therefore, the roles of the putative heme uptake systems in pathogenesis remain elusive, and may indicate that heme uptake is more important during infection of non-murine hosts.

The functions of two putative iron ABC transport systems have also been studied in Yersinia. The Yfe system can transport iron and manganese in Y. pestis, and yfe mutants demonstrated reduced virulence in mouse models of infection (Bearden, S. W. and R. D. Perry, Mol. Microbiol., 32, 403-414, (1999)). The second putative iron ABC transporter proteins are encoded by the yfu genes, identified by the presence of an upstream Fur box (Gong, S., et al., Infect. Immun., 69, 2829-2837, (2001)). When expressed in E. coli, the yfu genes restored growth in iron-poor media; however, comparable studies in Y. pestis failed to determine a role for Yfu in iron acquisition, and the yfu- mutant showed no defect in mouse virulence (Gong, S., et al., Infect. Immun., 69, 2829-2837, (2001)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a composition including two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, or a combination thereof, and two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 40 kDa, 38 kDa, or 37 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. The polypeptides having a molecular weight of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, or 66 kDa are isolatable from a Yersinia enterocolitica when incubated in media containing an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator. In some aspects, the composition may include two different 83 kDa polypeptides isolatable from a Y. enterocolitica when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator. The composition protects a mouse against challenge with Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729. The composition can further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The polypeptides may be isolatable, or in some aspects isolated from Y. enterocolitica is ATCC strain 27729. The composition may further include an isolated polypeptide having a molecular weight of 268 kDa, 92 kDa, 79 kDa, 54 kDa, 45 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, or a combination thereof, and isolatable from a Y. enterocolitica when grown in the media without the iron chelator.

The present invention also provides a composition including two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, or a combination thereof, and two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 268 kDa, 79 kDa, or 45 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. The polypeptides having a molecular weight of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, or 66 kDa are isolatable from a Yersinia enterocolitica when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator. The composition protects a mouse against challenge with Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729. The composition can further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The polypeptides may be isolatable, or in some aspects isolated from Y. enterocolitica is ATCC strain 27729.

The present invention further provides a composition including isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 268 kDa, 92 kDa, 83 kDa, 79 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, 54 kDa, 45 kDa, 40 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa, and 28 kDa, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. The polypeptides are isolatable from a Yersinia enterocolitica, and the composition protects a mouse against challenge with Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729. The polypeptides may be isolatable, or in some aspects isolated from Y. enterocolitica is ATCC strain 27729.

The present invention provides a composition including two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa, or a combination thereof, and two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 46 kDa, 37 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. The polypeptides having a molecular weight of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa are isolatable from a Yersinia pestis when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator. The composition protects a mouse against challenge with Y. pestis strain KIM6+. The composition can further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The polypeptides may be isolatable, or in some aspects isolated from Y. enterocolitica is ATCC strain 27729. The composition may further include an isolated polypeptide having a molecular weight of 254 kDa, 46 kDa, 37 kDa, 36 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, or 20 kDa, and isolatable from a Y. pestis when grown in the media without the iron chelator. The polypeptides may be isolatable, or in some aspects isolated from Y. pestis strain KIM6+.

The present invention also provides a composition including two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa, or a combination thereof, and two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 254 kDa, 46 kDa, 37 kDa, 36 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, 20 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. The polypeptides having a molecular weight of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa, are isolatable from a Yersinia pestis when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator. The composition protects a mouse against challenge with Y. pestis strain KIM6+. The composition can further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The polypeptides may be isolatable, or in some aspects isolated from Y. pestis strain KIM6+.

The present invention further provides a composition including isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 254 kDa, 104 kDa, 99 kDa, 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, 64 kDa, 60 kDa, 46 kDa, 44 kDa, 37 kDa, 36 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, and 20 kDa wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. The polypeptides are isolatable from a Yersinia pestis, and the composition protects a mouse against challenge with Y. pestis strain KIM6+. The polypeptides may be isolatable, or in some aspects isolated from Y. pestis strain KIM6+.

The present invention provides a method for treating in infection in a subject including administering an effective amount of a composition of the present invention to a subject having or at risk of having an infection caused by a Yersinia spp. The subject may be an animal, such as a fish or a mammal, such as a human. The Yersinia spp. may be, for example, Y. enterocolitica or Y. pestis, or Y. ruckeri.

The present invention also provides a method for treating a symptom in a subject including administering an effective amount of a composition of the present invention to a subject having an infection caused by a Yersinia spp. The subject may be an animal, such as a fish or a mammal, such as a human. The Yersinia spp. may be, for example, Y. enterocolitica or Y. pestis, or Y. ruckeri. The symptom may be, for example, diarrhea, enteritis, plague, red mouth disease, or a combination thereof.

The present invention further provides for treating in infection in a subject including administering an effective amount of a composition to a subject having or at risk of having an infection caused by a Yersinia spp., wherein the composition includes antibody that specifically binds a polypeptide of the present invention. The antibody may be polyclonal or monoclonal. In one example, the antibody specifically binds two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein the polypeptides are isolatable from a Yersinia enterocolitica when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator. In another example, the antibody specifically binds two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein the polypeptides are isolatable from a Yersinia pestis when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator.

The present invention also provides a method for treating a symptom in a subject including administering an effective amount of a composition to a subject having an infection caused by a Yersinia spp., wherein the composition includes antibody that specifically binds a polypeptide of the present invention. The antibody may be polyclonal or monoclonal. In one example, the antibody specifically binds two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel, wherein the polypeptides are isolatable from a Yersinia enterocolitica when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator. In another example, the antibody specifically binds two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein the polypeptides are isolatable from a Yersinia pestis when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator.

The present invention further provides kits for detecting antibody that specifically binds a polypeptide of the present invention. The kit includes an isolated polypeptide of the present invention, and a reagent that detects an antibody that specifically binds the polypeptide. The polypeptide and the reagent are typically present in separate containers. In one example, the polypeptide may have a molecular weight of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, or 66 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein the polypeptide is isolatable from a Yersinia enterocolitica when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator. In another example, the polypeptide may have a molecular weight of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa, or a combination thereof, wherein the polypeptide is isolatable from a Yersinia pestis when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator and not isolatable when grown in the media without the iron chelator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1. Detergent-insoluble protein-enriched extracts of Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729 and Y. pestis strain KIM6+ resolved by electrophoresis on a 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. The numbers to the left of the gel image denote the molecular weights in kDa of the standards shown in Lane 1. Lane 1, molecular weight standards; Lane 2, Y. pestis strain KIM6+ grown in media supplemented with 300 μM FeCl₃; Lane 3, Y. pestis strain KIM6+ grown in media supplemented with 160 μM 2,2-diprydyl; Lane 4, Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729 grown in media supplemented with 160 μM 2,2-diprydyl; Lane 5, Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729 grown in media supplemented with 300 μM FeCl₃.

FIG. 2. Survival of vaccinated and non-vaccinated mice following challenge with Y. enterocolitica. Chart showing survival analysis of mice following immunization with membrane proteins derived from Y. enterocolitica strain 27729 grown under iron-limiting conditions and subsequent live challenge with strain 27729. Mortality was recorded for 7 days following challenge.

FIG. 3. Nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1-23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides polypeptides and compositions including polypeptides. As used herein, “polypeptide” refers to a polymer of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Thus, for example, the terms peptide, oligopeptide, protein, and enzyme are included within the definition of polypeptide. This term also includes post-expression modifications of the polypeptide, for example, glycosylations, acetylations, phosphorylations, and the like. The term polypeptide does not connote a specific length of a polymer of amino acids. A polypeptide may be isolatable directly from a natural source, or can be prepared with the aid of recombinant, enzymatic, or chemical techniques. In the case of a polypeptide that is naturally occurring, such a polypeptide is typically isolated. An “isolated” polypeptide is one that has been removed from its natural environment. For instance, an isolated polypeptide is a polypeptide that has been removed from the cytoplasm or from the outer membrane of a cell, and many of the polypeptides, nucleic acids, and other cellular material of its natural environment are no longer present. An “isolatable” polypeptide is a polypeptide that could be isolated from a particular source. A “purified” polypeptide is one that is at least 60% free, preferably at least 75% free, and most preferably at least 90% free from other components with which they are naturally associated. Polypeptides that are produced outside the organism in which they naturally occur, e.g., through chemical or recombinant means, are considered to be isolated and purified by definition, since they were never present in a natural environment. As used herein, a “polypeptide fragment” refers to a portion of a polypeptide that results from digestion of a polypeptide with a protease. Unless otherwise specified, “a,” “an,” “the,” and “at least one” are used interchangeably and mean one or more than one. The terms “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the description and claims.

A polypeptide of the present invention may be characterized by molecular weight, mass fingerprint, or the combination thereof. The molecular weight of a polypeptide, typically expressed in kilodaltons (kDa), can be determined using routine methods including, for instance, gel filtration, gel electrophoresis including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography including HPLC. Preferably, molecular weight is determined by resolving a polypeptide using an SDS polyacrylamide gel having a stacking gel of about 4% and a resolving gel of about 10% under reducing and denaturing conditions. Unless indicated otherwise, molecular weight refers to molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE. As used herein, a “mass fingerprint” refers to a population of polypeptide fragments obtained from a polypeptide after digestion with a protease. Typically, the polypeptide fragments resulting from a digestion are analyzed using a mass spectrometric method. Each polypeptide fragment is characterized by a mass, or by a mass (m) to charge (z) ratio, which is referred to as an “m/z ratio” or an “m/z value”. Methods for generating a mass fingerprint of a polypeptide are routine. An example of such a method is disclosed in Example 9.

Polypeptides of the present invention may be metal regulated polypeptides. As used herein, a “metal regulated polypeptide” is a polypeptide that is expressed by a microbe at a greater level when the microbe is grown in low metal conditions compared to growth of the same microbe in high metal conditions. Low metal and high metal conditions are described herein. For instance, one class of metal regulated polypeptide produced by Yersinia spp. is not expressed at detectable levels during growth of the microbe in high metal conditions but is expressed at detectable levels during growth in low metal conditions. Examples of such metal regulated polypeptides isolatable from Yersinia enterocolitica have molecular weights of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, or 66 kDa. In some aspects, Y. enterocolitica may produce two different polypeptides each having a molecular weight of 83 kDa and each expressed at detectable levels during growth of the microbe in low metal conditions and not expressed at detectable levels during growth in high metal conditions. Examples of such metal regulated polypeptides isolatable from Yersinia pestis have molecular weights of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa.

Another type of metal regulated polypeptide produced by Yersinia spp. is expressed at detectable levels during growth of the microbe in high metal conditions but significantly more of the polypeptide is expressed during growth in low metal conditions. The expression of such polypeptides is referred to herein as “enhanced” during growth in low metal conditions. Typically, the expression of a polypeptide during growth in low metal conditions is at least 10% or at least 50% greater than the expression of the polypeptide during growth in high metal conditions. Examples of metal regulated polypeptides showing enhanced expression and isolatable from Y. enterocolitica have molecular weights of 268 kDa, 79 kDa, or 45 kDa. Examples of metal regulated polypeptides showing enhanced expression and isolatable from Y. pestis have molecular weights of 254 kDa, 46 kDa, 37 kDa, 36 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, or 20 kDa. In some aspects, Y. pestis may produce two different polypeptides each having a molecular weight of 31 kDa and each showing enhanced expression.

The expression of some polypeptides of the present invention is not significantly influenced by the presence of a metal. Examples of such polypeptides isolatable from Y. enterocolitica have molecular weights of 92 kDa, 54 kDa, 40 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa, or 28 kDa. In some aspects, Y. enterocolitica may produce two different polypeptides each having a molecular weight of 31 kDa and each not significantly influenced by the presence of a metal. Examples of such polypeptides isolatable from Y. pestis have molecular weights of 104 kDa, 99 kDa, 60 kDa, or 44 kDa.

Whether a polypeptide is a metal regulated polypeptide or not can be determined by methods useful for comparing the presence of polypeptides, including, for example, gel filtration, gel electrophoresis including sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography including HPLC. Separate cultures of a microbe are grown under high metal conditions and under low metal conditions, polypeptides of the present invention are isolated as described herein, and the polypeptides present in each culture are resolved and compared. Typically, an equal amount of polypeptides from each culture is used. Preferably, the polypeptides are resolved using an SDS polyacrylamide gel having a stacking gel of about 4% and a resolving gel of about 10% under reducing and denaturing conditions. For instance, 30 micrograms (μg) of total polypeptide from each culture may be used and loaded into wells of a gel. After running the gel and staining the polypeptides with Coomasie Brilliant Blue, the two lanes can be compared. When determining whether a polypeptide is or is not expressed at a detectable level, 30 μg of total polypeptide from a culture is resolved on an SDS-PAGE gel and stained with Coomasie Brilliant Blue using methods known in the art. A polypeptide that can be visualized by eye is considered to be expressed at a detectable level, while a polypeptide that cannot be visualized by eye is considered to be not expressed at a detectable level.

Polypeptides of the present invention may have immunogenic activity. “Immunogenic activity” refers to the ability of a polypeptide to elicit an immunological response in an animal. An immunological response to a polypeptide is the development in an animal of a cellular and/or antibody-mediated immune response to the polypeptide. Usually, an immunological response includes but is not limited to one or more of the following effects: the production of antibodies, B cells, helper T cells, suppressor T cells, and/or cytotoxic T cells, directed to an epitope or epitopes of the polypeptide. “Epitope” refers to the site on an antigen to which specific B cells and/or T cells respond so that antibody is produced. The immunogenic activity may be protective. “Protective immunogenic activity” refers to the ability of a polypeptide to elicit an immunological response in an animal that prevents or inhibits infection by Yersinia spp., for instance, Y. enterocolitica or Y. pestis. Whether a polypeptide has protective immunogenic activity can be determined by methods known in the art, for instance as described in example 4 or example 7. For example, a polypeptide of the present invention, or combination of polypeptides of the present invention, protect a rodent such as a mouse against challenge with a Yersinia spp. A polypeptide of the present invention may have seroreactive activity. “Seroactive activity” refers to the ability of a candidate polypeptide to react with antibody present in convalescent serum from an animal infected with a Yersinia spp., preferably Y. enterocolitica or Y. pestis. Polypeptides of the present invention may have immunoregulatory activity. “Immunoregulatory activity” refers to the ability of a polypeptide to act in a nonspecific manner to enhance an immune response to a particular antigen. Methods for determining whether a polypeptide has immunoregulatory activity are known in the art.

A polypeptide of the present invention has the characteristics of a polypeptide expressed by a reference microbe. The characteristics include both molecular weight and mass fingerprint. The reference microbe can be Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Y. pestis, Y. ruckeri, Y. rohdei, Y. aldovae, Y. bercovieri, Y. frederiksenii, Y. intermedia, Y. kristensenii, or Y. moolaretti, preferably Y. enterocolitica, for instance, Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729, or Y. pestis, for instance, Y. pestis strain KIM6+ (Gong et al., Infect. Immun., 69:2829-2837 (2001)).

When the reference microbe is Y. enterocolitica, for instance, Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729, a candidate polypeptide is considered to be a polypeptide of the present invention if it has a molecular weight of 268 kDa, 83 kDa, 79 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, or 45 kDa, and has a mass fingerprint that is similar to the mass fingerprint of a metal regulated polypeptide expressed by the reference microbe and having a molecular weight of 268 kDa, 83 kDa, 79 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, or 45 kDa, respectively. Preferably, such polypeptides are metal regulated. For instance, a candidate polypeptide is a polypeptide of the present invention if it has a molecular weight of 83 kDa and has a mass fingerprint similar to the mass fingerprint of one of the metal regulated 83 kDa polypeptides produced by the reference strain Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729. A candidate polypeptide is also considered to be a polypeptide of the present invention if it has a molecular weight of 92 kDa, 54 kDa, 40 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa, or 28 kDa and has a mass fingerprint that is similar to the mass fingerprint of a polypeptide expressed by the reference microbe and having a molecular weight of 92 kDa, 54 kDa, 40 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa, or 28 kDa, respectively.

When the reference microbe is Y. pestis, for instance, Y. pestis strain KIM6+, a candidate polypeptide is considered to be a polypeptide of the present invention if it has a molecular weight of 254 kDa, 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, 64 kDa, 46 kDa, 37 kDa, 36 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, or 20 kDa, and has a mass fingerprint that is similar to the mass fingerprint of a metal regulated polypeptide expressed by the reference microbe and having a molecular weight of 254 kDa, 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, 64 kDa, 46 kDa, 37 kDa, 36 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, or 20 kDa, respectively. Preferably, such polypeptides are metal regulated. For instance, a candidate polypeptide is a polypeptide of the present invention if it has a molecular weight of 94 kDa and has a mass fingerprint similar to the mass fingerprint of one of the metal regulated 94 kDa polypeptides produced by the reference strain Y. pestis strain KIM6+. A candidate polypeptide is also considered to be a polypeptide of the present invention if it has a molecular weight of 104 kDa, 99 kDa, 60 kDa, or 44 kDa and has a mass fingerprint that is similar to the mass fingerprint of a polypeptide expressed by the reference microbe and having a molecular weight of 104 kDa, 99 kDa, 60 kDa, or 44 kDa, respectively.

The polypeptides expressed by a reference microbe and referred to above by molecular weight can be obtained by growth of the reference microbe under low metal conditions and the subsequent isolation of a polypeptide by the processes disclosed herein. A candidate polypeptide is isolatable from a microbe, preferably a gram negative microbe, more preferably, a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae preferably, a member of the genus Yersinia, such as Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, or Y. pestis. A candidate polypeptide may also be produced using recombinant, enzymatic, or chemical techniques.

A candidate polypeptide may be evaluated by mass spectrometric analysis to determine whether the candidate polypeptide has a mass fingerprint similar to one of the polypeptides expressed by a reference microbe and referred to above by molecular weight. Typically, the candidate polypeptide is isolated, for instance by resolving the candidate polypeptide by gel electrophoresis and excising the portion of the gel containing the candidate polypeptide. Any gel electrophoresis method that Separates polypeptides based on differing characteristics can be used, including 1 dimensional or 2 dimensional gel electrophoresis, as well as liquid chromatographic separation based on, for instance, hydrophobicity, pI, or size. The candidate polypeptide is fragmented, for instance by digestion with a protease. Preferably, the protease cleaves the peptide bond on the carboxy-terminal side of the amino acid lysine and the amino acid arginine, except when the amino acid following the lysine or the arginine is a proline. An example of such a protease is trypsin. Methods for digesting a polypeptide with trypsin are routine and known in the art. An example of such a method is disclosed in Example 9.

Methods for the mass spectrometric analysis of polypeptides are routine and known in the art and include, but are not limited to, matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS). Typically, a mixture containing the polypeptide fragments obtained from a candidate polypeptide is mixed with a matrix that functions to transform the laser energy to the sample and produce ionized, preferably monoisotopic, polypeptide fragments. Examples of matrices that can be used include, for instance, sinapinic acid or cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid. An example of a method for the analysis of polypeptides by MALDI-TOF MS is described in Example 9. The ionized polypeptide fragments are separated according to their m/z ratio, and detected to yield a spectrum of m/z ratio versus intensity. The spectrum includes m/z values that represent the polypeptide fragments derived from the candidate polypeptide. For any given polypeptide, the amount of each polypeptide fragment resulting from a trypsin digestion should be equimolar. However, it is known that trypsin digestion is not always 100% efficient, for instance, some sites are more efficiently cleaved. Thus, when MALDI-TOF MS is used to determine m/z values, the intensity of each m/z value is typically not identical. Generally, a spectrum has a background level of noise present across most of the x-axis (i.e., the axis having the values of the m/z ratios). This background level of noise varies depending on the running conditions and the machine used, and is easily identified by visual inspection of the spectrum. An m/z value is generally considered to represent a polypeptide fragment when the intensity is at least 2 times greater, 3 times greater, or 4 times greater than the background level of noise. The spectrum usually includes other m/z values that are artifacts resulting from, for instance, incomplete digestion, over digestion, other polypeptides that may be present in the mixture, or the protease used to digest the polypeptide including m/z values resulting from autolysis of the protease. This method of digesting a polypeptide with a protease is recognized by the art as resulting in a mass fingerprint of great specificity that can be used to accurately characterize the polypeptide and distinguish it from other polypeptides.

In this aspect of the invention, when a candidate polypeptide is analyzed by mass spectroscopy, preferably both the candidate polypeptide and the polypeptide from the reference microbe are prepared and analyzed together, thereby decreasing any potential artifacts resulting from differences in sample handling and running conditions. Preferably, all reagents used to prepare and analyze the two polypeptides are the same. For instance, the polypeptide from the reference microbe and the candidate polypeptide are isolated under substantially the same conditions, fragmented under substantially the same conditions, and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS on the same machine under substantially the same conditions. A mass fingerprint of a candidate polypeptide is considered to be similar to the mass fingerprint of a polypeptide from a reference microbe when at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or substantially all of the m/z values present in the spectrum of the reference microbe polypeptide and above the background level of noise are also present in the spectrum of the candidate polypeptide.

In another aspect, a polypeptide is considered to be a polypeptide of the present invention if it has a molecular weight of a reference polypeptide described in Table 1 or Table 2 and has a mass fingerprint that includes the population of polypeptide fragments of the reference polypeptide as listed in Table 1 or Table 2. For instance, a polypeptide of the present invention includes a polypeptide of 83 kDa and a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 686.37, 975.45, 1000.53, 1015.46, 1140.65, 1169.68, 1170.64, 1197.57, 1342.55, 1356.74, 1394.67, 1452.73, 1476.72, 1520.76, 1692.77, 1715.75, 1828.79, 1960.91, 2013.02, 2018.95, 2040.97, 2163.05, 2225.03, 2416.19, and 3174.44, or a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 1001.49, 1103.57, 1139.57, 1154.51, 1170.49, 1208.59, 1213.67, 1337.70, 1452.86, 1567.84, 1633.85, 1650.82, 1659.91, 1708.77, 1748.95, 1849.92, 1986.98, 2103.95, 2111.03, 2163.11, 2386.19, 2452.09, 2537.34, and 3422.66. The mass fingerprint of a candidate polypeptide can be determined by a mass spectrometric method, for instance by MALDI-TOF MS. The mass fingerprint of a candidate polypeptide will generally have additional polypeptide fragments and therefore additional m/z values other than those listed for a polypeptide in Table 1 or Table 2. Preferably, when the candidate polypeptide is being compared to a polypeptide in Table 1 or Table 2, the candidate polypeptide is obtained from a Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, or Y. enterocolitica, more preferably, Y. enterocolitica or Y. pestis. A candidate polypeptide can be obtained by growth of a microbe under low metal conditions and the subsequent isolation of a polypeptide by the processes described herein.

It is well known in the art that modifications of amino acids can be accidentally introduced during sample handling, such as oxidation, and formation of carbamidomethyl derivatives. Further, these types of modifications alter the m/z value of a polypeptide fragment. For instance, if a polypeptide fragment contains a methoinine that is oxidized the m/z value will be increased by 16 relative to the same fragment that does not contain the oxidized methionine. Accordingly, those polypeptide fragments in Tables 1 and 2 having the notation “oxidation (M)” have an m/z value that is increased by 16 relative to the same fragment that does not contain the oxidized methionine. It is understood that the polypeptide fragments of Table 1 and Table 2 can be modified during sample handling.

TABLE 1 Characteristics of polypeptides obtained from Y. enterocolitica. mass of polypeptide approximate fragments molecular resulting weight in from predicted amino acid sequence of the polypeptide polypeptide kilodaltons trypsin fragment designation (kDa)¹ digest² (SEQ ID Numbers listed in parenthesis) Lw545 268 928.45 FHQLDNR (SEQ ID No: 24) 1139.57 VNFTAGVGGYR (SEQ ID No: 25) 1311.65 NSVSIGHESLNR (SEQ ID No: 26) 1439.69 ASTSDTGVAVGFNSK (SEQ ID No: 27) 1525.73 SAETLASANVYADSK (SEQ ID No: 28) 1554.69 EAFDLSNDALDMAK + Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 29) 1580.77 SAEVLGIANNYTDSK (SEQ ID No: 30) 1595.78 ALGDSAVTYGAGSTAQK (SEQ ID No: 31) 1682.78 EAFDLSNDALDMAKK + Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 32) 2109.18 AAVAVGAGSIATGVNSVAIGPLSK (SEQ ID No: 33) Lw391A 83 686.37 DIGNIR (SEQ ID No: 34) 975.45 FFVSYQW (SEQ ID No: 35) 1000.53 VNGQDVTLR (SEQ ID No: 36) 1015.46 ASYFDTNAK (SEQ ID No: 37) 1140.65 DLPVSILAGTR (SEQ ID No: 38) 1169.68 QGVLTLVDGIR (SEQ ID No: 39) 1170.64 NIPGLTVTGSGR (SEQ ID No: 40) 1197.57 YYNNSALEPK (SEQ ID No: 41) 1342.55 APTMGEMYNDSK (SEQ ID No: 42) 1356.74 IDQIQSLSANLR (SEQ ID No: 43) 1394.67 TDDVDGILSFGTR (SEQ ID No: 44) 1452.73 GMTTTVVLGNAFDK (SEQ ID No: 45) 1476.72 IADTMVVTATGNER (SEQ ID No: 46) 1520.76 FGSGWLQDEITLR (SEQ ID No: 47) 1692.77 NPQTSAASSTNLMTDR (SEQ ID No: 48) 1715.75 FNDLMMAEDDLQFK (SEQ ID No: 49) 1828.79 GSSEGYADVDADKWSSR (SEQ ID No: 50) 1960.91 QEQTPSGATESFPQADIR (SEQ ID No: 51) 2013.02 QGTDTGHLNSTFLDPALVK (SEQ ID No: 52) 2018.95 QSDGFNAPNDETISNVLAK (SEQ ID No: 53) 2040.97 VYSAAATGDHSFGLGASAFGR (SEQ ID No: 54) 2163.05 LFTDSFASHLLTYGTEAYK (SEQ ID No: 55) 2225.03 VSSSGTPQAGYGVNDFYVSYK (SEQ ID No: 56) 2416.19 GAVSVTPTDWLMLFGSYAQAFR (SEQ ID No: 57) 3174.44 SSFEAPMMVTVVEADTPTSETATSATDMLR (SEQ ID No: 58) Lw391B 83 1001.49 NDASVQNVR (SEQ ID No: 59) 1103.57 IGFLGQQDAR (SEQ ID No: 60) 1139.57 VNLGYAANYR (SEQ ID No: 61) 1154.51 GYGNPSQNYR (SEQ ID No: 62) 1170.49 YGDDDQFGVR (SEQ ID No: 63) 1208.59 GHFDTGPITHK (SEQ ID No: 64) 1213.67 LLASATWLDPK (SEQ ID No: 65) 1337.70 NVPFNVIGYTSK (SEQ ID No: 66) 1452.86 LKPWTRLDLGVR (SEQ ID No: 67) 1567.84 VSLYANHIEALGPGK (SEQ ID No: 68) 1633.85 GIELNVFGEPVFGTR (SEQ ID No: 69) 1650.82 TNDTITVVGAQETFR (SEQ ID No: 70) 1659.91 VTPIYGIMVKPWEK (SEQ ID No: 71) 1708.77 NFDSGVPNSAGSLDAMK (SEQ ID No: 72) 1748.95 LYVPYVADSVAGLGGIR (SEQ ID No: 73) 1849.92 VTVDYGSASQVGGALDVGR (SEQ ID No: 74) 1986.98 AGGNDLIPTYLDGQVANGGR (SEQ ID No: 75) 2103.95 SEYDVSQNWTVYGSVGASR (SEQ ID No: 76) 2111.03 GYNLDGDDISFGGLFGVLPR (SEQ ID No: 77) 2163.11 SGSQYANEANTLKLKPWTR (SEQ ID No: 78) 2386.19 GANAFINGISPSGSGVGGMINLEPK (SEQ ID No: 79) 2452.09 NEETGQYGAPMLTNNNGDATISR (SEQ ID No: 80) 2537.34 SAPYQYNGKPVVNAGQIPGIIHSK (SEQ ID No: 81) 3422.66 YGGTLALFEITRPTGMVDPATNVYGFYGEQR (SEQ ID No: 82) Lw392 79 836.44 YDTVALR (SEQ ID No: 83) 1017.59 VLLGVDFQK (SEQ ID No: 84) 1070.48 FDDVWSFR (SEQ ID No: 85) 1085.50 SVQATVGYDF (SEQ ID No: 86) 1131.59 ADLGTWAASLK (SEQ ID No: 87) 1188.55 QWADDANTLR (SEQ ID No: 88) 1214.63 VNSQGLELEAR (SEQ ID No: 89) 1235.65 AVPATYYVPAGK (SEQ ID No: 90) 1255.66 LSVIAGYTYNR (SEQ ID No: 91) 1263.65 VPSYTLGDASVR (SEQ ID No: 92) 1360.66 RPQFTSEGHFR (SEQ ID No: 93) 1496.67 GFFDGESNHNVFK (SEQ ID No: 94) 1501.79 GAFVQLNVNNIADK (SEQ ID No: 95) 1614.75 WQQIYSYEFSHK (SEQ ID No: 96) 1652.77 GFFDGESNHNVFKR (SEQ ID No: 97) 1717.82 GFHGGDVNNTFLDGLR (SEQ ID No: 98) 1770.85 RWQQIYSYEFSHK (SEQ ID No: 99) 1819.86 AGHEADLPTSGYTATTTK (SEQ ID No: 100) 1827.01 TDQPLILTAQSVSVVTR (SEQ ID No: 101) 2004.92 DPSGGYHSAVPADGSIYGQK (SEQ ID No: 102) 2066.02 GPSSALYGQSIPGGVVMMTSK (EQ ID No: 103) 2119.91 KYVAACYSTSYCYWGAER (SEQ ID No: 104) 2299.22 YAIAPSLLWQPDENTSLLLR (SEQ ID No: 105) 2307.15 LLSDGGSYNVLQVDPWFLER (SEQ ID No: 106) 2782.23 QNASYTHSNTQLEQVYQGGWNSDR (SEQ ID No: 107) 2911.35 LTAGNNNTQVAAFDYTDAISEHWAFR (SEQ ID No: 108) 3023.42 RYEQSGVYLQDEMTLDNWHLNLSGR (SEQ ID No: 109) 3286.53 QQMDDQNVATVNQALNYTPGVFTGFSGGATR (SEQ ID No: 110) Lw393 70 713.42 VPFVPR (SEQ ID No: 111) 759.42 TVGINTR (SEQ ID No: 112) 806.41 YGALMPR (SEQ ID No: 113) 819.42 FDIGGGVR (SEQ ID No: 114) 919.48 GPQGTLYGK (SEQ ID No: 115) 1023.50 GYIEGGVSSR (SEQ ID No: 116) 1051.53 SINYELGTR (SEQ ID No: 117) 1186.57 WNQDVQELR (SEQ ID No: 118) 1199.60 TVDMVFGLYR (SEQ ID No: 119) 1394.68 YGAGSSVNGVIDTR (SEQ ID No: 120) 1436.66 LSLSDGSPDPYMR (SEQ ID No: 121) 1479.70 ATQDAYVGWNDIK (SEQ ID No: 122) 1540.80 INISVHVDNLFDR (SEQ ID No: 123) 1545.80 TFPSGSLIVNMPQR (SEQ ID No: 124) 1564.76 KLSLSDGSPDPYMR (SEQ ID No: 125) 1667.72 SEFTNDSELYHGNR (SEQ ID No: 126) 1730.85 FAPGWSWDINGNVIR (SEQ ID No: 127) 1789.81 LAPDDQPWEMGFAASR (SEQ ID No: 128) 1904.85 TYGYMNGSSAVAQVNMGR (SEQ ID No: 129) 1981.02 SAQGGIINIVTQQPDSTPR (SEQ ID No: 130) 1982.93 QGTYATLDSSLGWQATER (SEQ ID No: 131) 1995.94 DMQLYSGPVGMQTLSNAGK (SEQ ID No: 132) 2009.89 SSTQYHGSMLGNPFGDQGK (SEQ ID No: 133) 2027.02 LAVNLVGPHYFDGDNQLR (SEQ ID No: 134) 2058.99 LRLAPDDQPWEMGFAASR (SEQ ID No: 135) 2132.93 QVDDGDMINPATGSDDLGGTR (SEQ ID No: 136) 2162.17 FNLSGPIQDGLLYGSVTLLR (SEQ ID No: 137) 2274.20 VLPGLNIENSGNMLFSTISLR (SEQ ID No: 138) 2363.13 SEFTNDSELYHGNRVPFVPR (SEQ ID No: 139) 2377.30 SKFNLSGPIQDGLLYGSVTLLR (SEQ ID No: 140) 2383.07 SNDDQVLGQLSAGYMLTDDWR (SEQ ID No: 141) 2563.22 SASANNVSSTVVSAPELSDAGVTASDK (SEQ ID No: 142) 2657.23 YTTDDWVFNLISAWQQQHYSR (SEQ ID No: 143) 2833.50 IAQGYKPSGYNIVPTAGLDAKPFVAEK (SEQ ID No: 144) 2929.46 SASANNVSSTVVSAPELSDAGVTASDKLPR (SEQ ID No: 145) Lw550 66 867.49 VSGLLSHR (SEQ ID No: 146) 881.42 TSEYLNR (SEQ ID No: 147) 883.43 EWHGTVR (SEQ ID No: 148) 1020.59 YTLILVDGK (SEQ ID No: 149) 1086.57 RVDIEVNDK (SEQ ID No: 150) 1167.61 VGKEWHGTVR (SEQ ID No: 151) 1176.69 YTLILVDGKR (SEQ ID No: 152) 1207.63 LMGGVYNVLDK (SEQ ID No: 153) 1345.72 IQDSAASISVVTR (SEQ ID No: 154) 1748.72 MDQDENYGTHWTPR (SEQ ID No: 155) 1753.77 NEFDFDIGHYVQDR (SEQ ID No: 156) 1850.95 DVPGVVVTGGGSHSDISIR (SEQ ID No: 157) 2520.27 GTRPNSDGSGIEQGWLPPLAAIER (SEQ ID No: 158) 2606.16 NNYAITHHGYYDFGNSTSYVQR (SEQ ID No: 159) 2942.50 AYTDITDALKDVPGVVVTGGGSHSDISIR (SEQ ID No: 160) 3085.41 NGAATFTLTPDDKNEFDFDIGHYVQDR (SEQ ID No: 161) Lw552 45 1139.57 VNFTAGVGGYR (SEQ ID No: 162) 1208.61 SSQALAIGSGYR (SEQ ID No: 163) 1311.65 NSVSIGHESLNR (SEQ ID No: 164) 1439.69 ASTSDTGVAVGFNSK (SEQ ID No: 165) 1500.74 TTLETAEEHTNKK (SEQ ID No: 166) 1525.73 SAETLASANVYADSK (SEQ ID No: 167) 1580.77 SAEVLGIANNYTDSK (SEQ ID No: 168) 1595.78 ALGDSAVTYGAGSTAQK (SEQ ID No: 169) Lw555 37 704.42 LGFAGLK (SEQ ID No: 170) 880.43 ADAYSGGLK (SEQ ID No: 171) 970.38 DGDQSYMR (SEQ ID No: 172) 1121.57 DGNKLDLYGK (SEQ ID No: 173) 1279.54 AEDQDQGNFTR (SEQ ID No: 174) 1294.58 VDGLHYFSDDK (SEQ ID No: 175) 1334.67 INLLDENEFTK (SEQ ID No: 176) 1509.71 VDGLHYFSDDKSK (SEQ ID No: 177) 1907.96 NAGINTDDIVAVGLVYQF (SEQ ID No: 178) 2245.12 NTNFFGLVDGLNFALQYQGK (SEQ ID No: 179) 2324.11 YDANNVYLAATYAQTYNLTR (SEQ ID No: 180) 2642.22 GETQISDQLTGYGQWEYQANLNK (SEQ ID No: 181) 2984.54 AQNIELVAQYQFDFGLRPSVAYLQSK (SEQ ID No: 182) 3087.49 FGLKGETQISDQLTGYGQWEYQANLNK (SEQ ID No: 183) Lw557 31 863.51 TVYLQIK (SEQ ID No: 184) 1403.71 NTSDKNMLGLAPK + Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 185) 1615.81 FEEAQPVLEDQLAK (SEQ ID No: 186) 1779.83 TQMSETIWLEPSSQK + Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 187) 1875.92 VQTSTQTGNKHQYQTR (SEQ ID No: 188) 2070.10 VNLKFEEAQPVLEDQLAK (SEQ ID No: 189) 2378.15 GYTVTSSPEDAHYWIQANVLK (SEQ ID No: 190) ¹Molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE. ²The mass of a polypeptide fragment can be converted to m/z value by adding 1 to the mass. Each mass includes a range of plus or minus 1 Da or plus or minus 300 ppm.

TABLE 2 Characteristics of polypeptides obtained from Y. pestis. mass of polypeptide approximate fragments molecular resulting weight in from polypeptide kilodaltons trypsin predicted amino acid sequence of the polypeptide designation (kDa)¹ digest² fragment Lw529 104 643.43 ALISLK (SEQ ID No: 191) 684.36 SIYFR (SEQ ID No: 192) 770.49 ILIGEVK (SEQ ID No: 193) 840.46 NPVARER (SEQ ID No: 194) 898.55 AVQDIILK (SEQ ID No: 195) 961.55 YPLISELK (SEQ ID No: 196) 1136.61 NGIIFSPHPR (SEQ ID No: 197) 1276.63 EAGVQEADFLAK (SEQ ID No: 198) 1292.62 NFEEAVEKAEK (SEQ ID No: 199) 1385.65 VVDESEPFAHEK (SEQ ID No: 200) 1409.76 NGGLNAAIVGQPATK (SEQ ID No: 201) 1421.84 AAALAAADARIPLAK (SEQ ID No: 202) 1497.82 AVTNVAELNELVAR (SEQ ID No: 203) 1566.75 QTAFSQYDRPQAR (SEQ ID No: 204) 1678.89 LLKEFLPASYNEGAK (SEQ ID No: 205) 1683.82 YAEIADHLGLSAPGDR (SEQ ID No: 206) 1725.93 GSLPIALEEVATDGAKR (SEQ ID No: 207) 1872.90 EYANFSQEQVDKIFR (SEQ ID No: 208) 1990.91 NHFASEYIYNAYKDEK (SEQ ID No: 209) 2020.06 ILINTPASQGGIGDLYNFK (SEQ ID No: 210) 2182.01 EYVEEFDREEEVAAATAPK (SEQ ID No: 211) 2584.21 YNANDNPTKQTAFSQYDRPQAR (SEQ ID No: 212) 2842.48 AAYSSGKPAIGVGAGNTPVVVDETADIKR (SEQ ID No: 213) Lw530 99 1190.64 ILFYTGVNHK (SEQ ID No: 214) 1513.80 YRNIGISAHIDAGK (SEQ ID No: 215) 1590.77 HSDDKEPFSALAFK (SEQ ID No: 216) 1596.83 IATDPFVGNLTFFR (SEQ ID No: 217) 1636.82 YLGGEELTEEEIKK (SEQ ID No: 218) 1670.86 MEFPEPVISVAVEPK (SEQ ID No: 219) 1713.93 EFIPAVDKGIQEQLK (SEQ ID No: 220) 1718.96 LGANPVPLQLAIGAEEK (SEQ ID No: 221) 1750.91 VYSGIVNSGDTVLNSVK (SEQ ID No: 222) 1819.92 EFNVEANVGKPQVAYR (SEQ ID No: 223) 1863.01 EEIKEVHAGDIAAAIGLK (SEQ ID No: 224) 1966.91 LHYGSYHDVDSSELAFK (SEQ ID No: 225) 2122.10 VYSGIVNSGDTVLNSVKSQR (SEQ ID No: 226) Lw531 94 961.44 NRDEWSR (SEQ ID No: 227) 1167.49 YEYGMFSQK + Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 228) 1257.64 VSVIDENNGRR (SEQ ID No: 229) 1371.63 VLYPDDSTYSGR (SEQ ID No: 230) 1383.64 EENDPGLGNGGLGR (SEQ ID No: 231) 1408.71 IIDAPDNNWVPR (SEQ ID No: 232) 1520.82 NLDYPSFLLALQK (SEQ ID No: 233) 1668.86 EYADEIWHIKPIR (SEQ ID No: 234) 1685.79 SYVDTQEQVDALYR (SEQ ID No: 235) 1713.78 GYGIRYEYGMFSQK + Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 236) 1716.81 TLLNIANMGYFSSDR + Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 237) 1796.92 TSPFSYTSPVVSVDALK (SEQ ID No: 238) 1832.92 LVEEQYPDDKELLSR (SEQ ID No: 239) 1844.91 KTLLNIANMGYFSSDR + Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 240) 2218.12 IAIHLNDTHPVLSIPEMMR + 2 Oxidation (M) (SEQ ID No: 241) 2426.09 FNQGDYFAAVEDKNHSENVSR (SEQ ID No: 242) Lw532 88 888.51 YIQAAVPK (SEQ ID No: 243) 926.46 FNINYTR (SEQ ID No: 244) 945.53 SGFLIPNAK (SEQ ID No: 245) 960.54 IGFNIELR (SEQ ID No: 246) 1171.60 AQYLYVPYR (SEQ ID No: 247) 1176.57 GLQWQNEFR (SEQ ID No: 248) 1289.64 ITGWNAQGQTSK (SEQ ID No: 249) 1332.67 RGLQWQNEFR (SEQ ID No: 250) 1357.66 EEQVVEVWNAR (SEQ ID No: 251) 1403.74 IASANQVSTGLTSR (SEQ ID No: 252) 1418.68 FTSVNPTNPEASR (SEQ ID No: 253) 1507.73 IYTGPDGTDKNATR (SEQ ID No: 254) 1578.78 FNVSVGQIYYFSR (SEQ ID No: 255) 1672.80 QFQVFTAAGNSNAYR (SEQ ID No: 256) 1735.83 TVTATGDVNYDDPQIK (SEQ ID No: 257) 2400.17 LLATHYQQDIPASFADNASNPK (SEQ ID No: 258) 2665.28 VYNPDYQQGISQVGTTASWPIADR (SEQ ID No: 259) Lw533 77 686.37 DIGNIR (SEQ ID No: 260) 784.49 RIEIVR (SEQ ID No: 261) 858.41 VSYFDTK (SEQ ID No: 262) 952.50 AKDYISTR (SEQ ID No: 263) 1140.65 DLPVSILAGTR (SEQ ID No: 264) 1155.66 QGVLTLVDGVR (SEQ ID No: 265) 1170.64 QVPGLTVTGSGR (SEQ ID No: 266) 1197.57 YYNNSAIEPK (SEQ ID No: 267) 1402.71 EQTTEGVKLENR (SEQ ID No: 268) 1408.68 TDDLDGILSFGTR (SEQ ID No: 269) 1482.73 TALFNWDLAYNR (SEQ ID No: 270) 1522.71 EYYTPQGIPQDGR (SEQ ID No: 271) 1550.77 FSSGWLQDEITLR (SEQ ID No: 272) 1617.74 HSTDTMVVTATGNER (SEQ ID No: 273) 1674.78 QEQTPGGATESFPQAK (SEQ ID No: 274) 1745.84 KHSTDTMVVTATGNER (SEQ ID No: 275) 1787.92 GTWQIDSIQSLSANLR (SEQ ID No: 276) 1819.96 IRFSSGWLQDEITLR (SEQ ID No: 277) 1851.87 VDMQAMTTTSVNIDQAK (SEQ ID No: 278) 1940.75 YDNYSGSSDGYADVDADK (SEQ ID No: 279) 2013.02 QGTDTGHLNSTFLDPALVK (SEQ ID No: 280) 2017.97 QSNGFNAPNDETISNVLAK (SEQ ID No: 281) 2056.96 VYSSAATGDHSFGLGASAFGR (SEQ ID No: 282) 2168.01 VSSSTPQAGYGVNDFYVSYK (SEQ ID No: 283) 2169.10 LFIESPASHLLTYGTETYK (SEQ ID No: 284) 2426.25 TRLFIESPASHLLTYGTETYK (SEQ ID No: 285) 2457.00 YDNYSGSSDGYADVDADKWSSR (SEQ ID No: 286) 2828.33 VSSSTPQAGYGVNDFYVSYKGQEAFK (SEQ ID No: 287) Lw534 73 628.39 IEVIR (SEQ ID No: 288) 748.43 GTIFRR (SEQ ID No: 289) 909.42 GGYEDTLR (SEQ ID No: 290) 930.51 TGGLDISIR (SEQ ID No: 291) 1291.71 LLDSLALTYGAR (SEQ ID No: 292) 1370.81 LLKNTNIILDSK (SEQ ID No: 293) 1440.70 FTQNYANLSAANK (SEQ ID No: 294) 1478.71 YDNSANQLGTIGAR (SEQ ID No: 295) 1586.83 EAAASISVISQNELR (SEQ ID No: 296) 1604.86 GMPSAYTLILVDGIR (SEQ ID No: 297) 1640.87 LITNASVPQGSGLAGEK (SEQ ID No: 298) 1654.77 YEYQTTFGGHISPR (SEQ ID No: 299) 1705.82 DASRVESSNTGVELSR (SEQ ID No: 300) 1707.83 AYLVWDAQDNWTVK (SEQ ID No: 301) 1757.91 LNWNINEQLSTWLK (SEQ ID No: 302) 1796.97 LITNASVPQGSGLAGEKR (SEQ ID No: 303) 1856.01 IREAAASISVISQNELR (SEQ ID No: 303) 1912.94 INSVSIDNTTSTYTNVGK (SEQ ID No: 304) 2004.03 DVTLNGAVNNLLDKDFTR (SEQ ID No: 305) 2072.02 FSFYSSGPAVEDQLGLSLR (SEQ ID No: 306) 2155.08 NKINSVSIDNTTSTYTNVGK (SEQ ID No: 307) 2301.07 LDFGTWNSSLSYNQTENIGR (SEQ ID No: 308) 2395.11 NYNDLAQALSDVEGVDVNSSTGK (SEQ ID No: 309) 2484.12 AWASSATLEHTFQENTAFGDSSK (SEQ ID No: 310) 2557.36 VVYNNLGSEFKPFSVLNLGVAYK (SEQ ID No: 311) 2557.36 VVYNNLGSEFKPFSVLNLGVAYK (SEQ ID No: 312) 2675.42 TPTLAQLHNGISGVTGQGTITTIGNPK (SEQ ID No: 313) 2983.33 DGIVLANNGDEFAQDAWSLFSEDEWR (SEQ ID No: 314) 3161.51 THIFAVGNGTTTAGDYFTSSQSTAGYVVPGR (SEQ ID No: 315) 3184.52 ITLGNDNRLDFGTWNSSLSYNQTENIGR (SEQ ID No: 316) 3424.79 GGVSTGYKTPTLAQLHNGISGVTGQGTITTIGNPK (SEQ ID No: 317) 3471.62 LEPESSVNTEVGVYYENETGFGANVTLFHNR (SEQ ID No: 318) Lw535 64 713.42 VPFVPR (SEQ ID No: 319) 759.42 TVGINTR (SEQ ID No: 320) 773.40 AATLGDAR (SEQ ID No: 321) 806.41 YGALMPR (SEQ ID No: 322) 919.48 GPQGTLYGK (SEQ ID No: 323) 1023.50 GYIEGGVSSR (SEQ ID No: 324) 1051.53 SINYELGTR (SEQ ID No: 325) 1102.55 ADATGVELEAK (SEQ ID No: 326) 1164.56 DMQLYSGPVR (SEQ ID No: 327) 1186.57 WNQDVQELR (SEQ ID No: 328) 1199.60 TVDMVFGLYR (SEQ ID No: 329) 1281.67 TVGINTRIDFF (SEQ ID No: 330) 1394.68 YGAGSSVNGVIDTR (SEQ ID No: 331) 1444.73 ADATGVELEAKWR (SEQ ID No: 332) 1479.70 ATQDAYVGWNDIK (SEQ ID No: 333) 1545.80 TFPSGSLIVNMPQR (SEQ ID No: 334) 1667.72 SEFTNDSELYHGNR (SEQ ID No: 335) 1692.82 ATQDAYVGWNDIKGR (SEQ ID No: 336) 1730.85 FAPGWSWDINGNVIR (SEQ ID No: 337) 1789.81 LAPDDQPWEMGFAASR (SEQ ID No: 338) 1904.85 TYGYMNGSSAVAQVNMGR (SEQ ID No: 339) 1968.90 ECTRATQDAYVGWNDIK (SEQ ID No: 340) 1981.02 SAQGGIINIVTQQPDSTPR (SEQ ID No: 341) 2009.89 SSTQYHGSMLGNPFGDQGK (SEQ ID No: 342) 2027.02 LAVNLVGPHYFDGDNQLR (SEQ ID No: 343) 2058.99 YETADVTLQAATFYTHTK (SEQ ID No: 344) 2162.17 FNLSGPIQDGLLYGSVTLLR (SEQ ID No: 345) 2363.13 SEFTNDSELYHGNRVPFVPR (SEQ ID No: 346) 2377.30 SKFNLSGPIQDGLLYGSVTLLR (SEQ ID No: 347) 2819.49 VAQGYKPSGYNIVPTAGLDAKPFVAEK (SEQ ID No: 348) 2929.46 SASANNVSSTVVSAPELSDAGVTASDKLPR (SEQ ID No: 349) Lw536 60 1010.51 VEDALHATR (SEQ ID No: 350) 1186.65 VAAVKAPGFGDR (SEQ ID No: 351) 1230.66 TTLEDLGQAKR (SEQ ID No: 352) 1237.65 ARVEDALHATR (SEQ ID No: 353) 1290.65 VGAATEVEMKEK (SEQ ID No: 354) 1566.87 AAVEEGVVAGGGVALIR (SEQ ID No: 355) 1604.88 NVVLDKSFGSPTITK (SEQ ID No: 356) 1620.85 SFGSPTITKDGVSVAR (SEQ ID No: 357) 1668.75 QQIEDATSDYDKEK (SEQ ID No: 358) 2020.03 AAHAIAGLKGDNEDQNVGIK (SEQ ID No: 359) 2396.29 VVINKDTTIIIDGVGDEAAIQGR (SEQ ID No: 360) Lw537 46 872.51 NLSLLSAR (SEQ ID No: 361) 1000.53 QTVTTPRAQ (SEQ ID No: 362) 1179.55 AAADRDAAYEK (SEQ ID No: 363) 1257.63 NNLDNALESLR (SEQ ID No: 364) 1299.71 LSQDLAREQIK (SEQ ID No: 365) 1306.65 DAAYEKINEVR (SEQ ID No: 366) 1324.65 AIDSLSYTEAQK (SEQ ID No: 367) 1367.75 TQRPDAVNNLLK (SEQ ID No: 368) 1394.76 YNYLINQLNIK (SEQ ID No: 369) 1435.73 ASYDTVLAAEVAAR (SEQ ID No: 370) 1608.93 LKTQRPDAVNNLLK (SEQ ID No: 371) 1615.87 FNVGLVAITDVQNAR (SEQ ID No: 372) 1779.96 TILDVLTATTNLYQSK (SEQ ID No: 373) 1951.01 QITGVYYPELASLNVER (SEQ ID No: 374) 1957.97 AIDSLSYTEAQKQSVYR (SEQ ID No: 375) 2018.98 QAQYNFVGASELLESAHR (SEQ ID No: 376) 2098.10 SPLLPQLGLSAGYTHANGFR (SEQ ID No: 377) 2177.16 QQLADARYNYLINQLNIK (SEQ ID No: 378) 2709.43 INEVRSPLLPQLGLSAGYTHANGFR (SEQ ID No: 379) Lw538 44 775.40 HTPFFK (SEQ ID No: 380) 836.49 EHILLGR (SEQ ID No: 381) 904.49 FAIREGGR (SEQ ID No: 382) 1026.58 AGENVGVLLR (SEQ ID No: 383) 1072.60 GTVVTGRVER (SEQ ID No: 384) 1199.66 EGGRTVGAGVVAK (SEQ ID No: 385) 1231.57 ALEGEAEWEAK (SEQ ID No: 386) 1232.61 GYRPQFYFR (SEQ ID No: 387) 1289.62 DEGGRHTPFFK (SEQ ID No: 388) 1375.63 AFDQIDNAPEEK (SEQ ID No: 389) 1602.76 AFDQIDNAPEEKAR (SEQ ID No: 390) 1613.89 VGEEVEIVGIKDTVK (SEQ ID No: 391) 1709.94 LLDEGRAGENVGVLLR (SEQ ID No: 392) 1772.87 GITINTSHVEYDTPAR (SEQ ID No: 393) 1794.95 TKPHVNVGTIGHVDHGK (SEQ ID No: 394) 1904.95 ELLSAYDFPGDDLPVVR (SEQ ID No: 395) 1977.01 IIELAGYLDSYIPEPER (SEQ ID No: 396) 2000.01 ARGITINTSHVEYDTPAR (SEQ ID No: 397) Lw683 37 690.4064 VGFAGLK (SEQ ID No: 398) 893.4606 ANAYTGGLK (SEQ ID No: 399) 910.4330 GNGMLTYR (SEQ ID No: 400) 1049.5617 RANAYTGGLK (SEQ ID No: 401) 1114.4931 SSDAAFGFADK (SEQ ID No: 402) 1119.4906 NMSTYVDYK (SEQ ID No: 403) 1121.4697 NGSSSETNNGR (SEQ ID No: 404) 1197.5084 NLDGDQSYMR (SEQ ID No: 405) 1262.5567 FADYGSLDYGR (SEQ ID No: 406) 1307.6146 IDGLHYFSDNK (SEQ ID No: 407) 1319.7085 INLLDKNDFTK (SEQ ID No: 408) 1422.6739 TTAQNDLQYGQGK (SEQ ID No: 409) 1436.6976 YVDIGATYFFNK (SEQ ID No: 410) 1490.6022 AENEDGNHDSFTR (SEQ ID No: 411) 1533.8038 GKDIGIYGDQDLLK (SEQ ID No: 412) 1578.7750 TTAQNDLQYGQGKR (SEQ ID No: 413) 2245.1167 NTNFFGLVDGLNFALQYQGK (SEQ ID No: 414) 2367.1131 YDANNVYLAANYTQTYNLTR (SEQ ID No: 415) 2487.1124 IDGLHYFSDNKNLDGDQSYMR (SEQ ID No: 416) 2684.2718 GETQITDQLTGYGQWEYQVNLNK (SEQ ID No: 417) 2979.5242 AHNIEVVAQYQFDFGLRPSVAYLQSK (SEQ ID No: 418) 3292.4764 GVADQNGDGYGMSLSYDLGWGVSASAAMASSLR (SEQ ID No: 419) Lw541 31 1019.58 ALASNILYR (SEQ ID No: 420) 1074.51 SDPGAAFPWK (SEQ ID No: 421) 1202.61 KSDPGAAFPWK (SEQ ID No: 422) 1247.61 IFNLVDENER (SEQ ID No: 423) 1321.58 MYNIDYNSFR (SEQ ID No: 424) 1403.64 AWHAGVSYWDGR (SEQ ID No: 425) 1786.80 ALYDAGIGAWYDDETK (SEQ ID No: 426) 1990.03 FPDITPVNVVGHSDIAPGR (SEQ ID No: 427) 2090.99 YGYDTSGAVSEVGYNQLIR (SEQ ID No: 428) 2118.12 FPDITPVNVVGHSDIAPGRK (SEQ ID No: 429) Lw542 31 1142.58 SDPGPLFPWK (SEQ ID No: 430) 1298.68 SDPGPLFPWKR (SEQ ID No: 431) 1307.76 AIALQLVPEAQR (SEQ ID No: 432) 1340.64 AWHAGVSSWQGR (SEQ ID No: 433) 1370.68 IPQNGQLDTETR (SEQ ID No: 434) 1578.77 GTYQIDTHYPSVAK (SEQ ID No: 435) 1779.95 GAASVAVIQQALAAYGYK (SEQ ID No: 436) 1789.94 FLVLHYTAVGDAESLR (SEQ ID No: 437) 1953.00 YNISPSDVVAHSDIAPLR (SEQ ID No: 438) 2190.12 NNLNDTSIGIEIVNLGFTEK (SEQ ID No: 439) 2630.38 AIALQLVPEAQRAWHAGVSSWQGR (SEQ ID No: 440) Lw544 20 806.42 LIDGDFK (SEQ ID No: 441) 1113.50 GFEESVDGFK (SEQ ID No: 442) 1209.60 VGTWMLGAGYR (SEQ ID No: 443) 1243.58 FSSIFGQSESR (SEQ ID No: 444) 1258.63 YYSVTAGPVFR (SEQ ID No: 445) 1269.60 RGFEESVDGFK (SEQ ID No: 446) 1356.66 VGTWMLGAGYRF (SEQ ID No: 447) 1789.94 INEYVSLYGLLGAGHGK (SEQ ID No: 448) 2002.92 YEFNNDWGVIGSFAQTR (SEQ ID No: 449) 2988.43 TSLAYGAGLQFNPHPNFVIDASYEYSK (SEQ ID No: 450) ¹Molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE. ²The mass of a polypeptide fragment can be converted to m/z value by adding 1 to the mass. Each mass includes a range of plus or minus 300 ppm.

In yet another aspect, the present invention further includes polypeptides having similarity with an amino acid sequence. The similarity is referred to as structural similarity and is generally determined by aligning the residues of the two amino acid sequences (i.e., a candidate amino acid sequence and a reference amino acid sequence) to optimize the number of identical amino acids along the lengths of their sequences; gaps in either or both sequences are permitted in making the alignment in order to optimize the number of identical amino acids, although the amino acids in each sequence must nonetheless remain in their proper order. Reference amino acid sequences are disclosed in Table 3 and Table 4. Two amino acid sequences can be compared using commercially available algorithms. Preferably, two amino acid sequences are compared using the Blastp program of the BLAST 2 search algorithm, as described by Tatusova, et al., (FEMS Microbiol Lett 1999, 174:247-250), and available through the World Wide Web, for instance at the internet site maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health. Preferably, the default values for all BLAST 2 search parameters are used, including matrix=BLOSUM62; open gap penalty=11, extension gap penalty=1, gap x_dropoff=50, expect=10, wordsize=3, and optionally, filter on. In the comparison of two amino acid sequences using the BLAST search algorithm, structural similarity is referred to as “identities.” Preferably, a candidate amino acid sequence has at least 80% identity, at least 90% identity, at least 95% identity, at least 96% identity, at least 97% identity, at least 98% identity, or at least 99% identity to a reference amino acid sequence. Preferably, the molecular weight of the candidate amino acid sequence and the reference amino acid sequence are substantially the same value. Preferably, the molecular weight of the candidate amino acid sequence and the reference amino acid sequence is determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A candidate polypeptide can be obtained by growth of a microbe under low metal conditions and the subsequent isolation of a polypeptide by the procedures disclosed herein.

TABLE 3 Molecular NCBI sequence identifier of weight of polypeptide identified by the reference computer algorithm as having best polypeptide match to mass fingerprint of (kDa)¹ reference polypeptide SEQ ID NO: 268 23630568, adhesin YadA 1 83 282049, hemin receptor precursor 2 83 49114, ferrichrome receptor FcuA 3 79 565634, ferrioxamine receptor 4 70 517386, FyuA precursor 5 66 77958488, Outer membrane receptor 6 for ferrienterochelin and colicins 45 23630568, adhesin YadA 7 37 77956419, Outer membrane protein 8 (porin) 31 48605, YlpA protein 9 ¹Molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE.

TABLE 4 Molecular NCBI sequence identifier of weight of polypeptide identified by the reference computer algorithm as having best polypeptide match to mass fingerprint of (kDa)¹ reference polypeptide SEQ ID NO: 104 22125915, CoA-linked acetaldehyde 10 dehydrogenase 99 51597993, elongation factor G 11 94 15981846, glycogen phosphorylase 12 88 45443416, organic solvent tolerance 13 protein precursor 77 22124457, TonB-dependent outer 14 membrane receptor 73 51595142, putative exogenous ferric 15 siderophore receptor; Iha adhesin 64 22126288, pesticin/yersiniabactin 16 outer membrane receptor 60 51594757, chaperonin GroEL 17 46 22127390, outer membrane channel 18 precursor protein 44 51597992, elongation factor Tu 19 37 77633559, Outer membrane protein 20 (porin) 31 22125738, putative regulator 21 31 22125770, putative regulator 22 20 22125223, outer membrane protein X 23 ¹Molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Typically, a candidate amino acid sequence having structural similarity to a reference amino acid sequence has immunogenic activity, protective immunogenic activity, seroactive activity, immunoregulatory activity, or a combination thereof.

The polypeptides expressed by a reference microbe and referred to above by molecular weight can be obtained by growth of the reference microbe under low metal conditions and the subsequent isolation of a polypeptide by the processes disclosed herein. A candidate polypeptide is isolatable from a microbe, preferably a gram negative microbe, more preferably, a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae preferably, a member of the genus Yersinia, such as Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, or Y. pestis. A candidate polypeptide may also be produced using recombinant, enzymatic, or chemical techniques.

Also provided by the present invention are whole cell preparations of a microbe, where the microbe expresses one or more of the polypeptides of the present invention. The cells present in a whole cell preparation are preferably inactivated such that the cells cannot replicate, but the immunogenic activity of the polypeptides of the present invention expressed by the microbe is maintained. Typically, the cells are killed by exposure to agents such as glutaraldehyde, formalin, or formaldehyde.

A composition of the present invention may include at least one polypeptide described herein, or a number of polypeptides that is an integer greater than 1 (e.g., at least 2, at least 3, at least 4. In some aspects, a composition may include at least 2 metal regulated polypeptides and at least two polypeptides whose expression is not significantly influenced by the presence of a metal. For example, when the polypeptides are isolatable from Y. enterocolitica, a composition can include 2, 3, 4, 5, or more isolated metal regulated polypeptides having molecular weights of 268 kDa, 83 kDa, 79 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, 45 kDa, or any subset or combination thereof, and two isolated polypeptides having a molecular weight of 92 kDa, 54 kDa, 40 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, or any subset or combination thereof. In another example, when the polypeptides are isolatable from Y. pestis, a composition can include 2, 3, 4, 5, or more isolated metal regulated polypeptides having molecular weights of 254 kDa, 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, 64 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, 20 kDa, or any subset or combination thereof, and two isolated polypeptides having molecular weights of 104 kDa, 99 kDa, 60 kDa, 44 kDa, 46 kDa, 37 kDa, 36 kDa, or any subset or combination thereof. A composition can include polypeptides isolatable from 1 microbe, or can be isolatable from a combination of 2 or more microbes. For instance, a composition can include polypeptides isolatable from 2 or more Yersinia spp., from 2 or more Y. enterocolitica strains, or from a Yersinia spp. and a different microbe that is not a member of the genus Yersinia. The present invention also provides compositions including a whole cell preparation of one or more Yersinia spp.

Optionally, a polypeptide of the present invention can be covalently bound or conjugated to a carrier polypeptide to improve the immunological properties of the polypeptide. Useful carrier polypeptides are known in the art. For example, a polypeptide of the present invention could be coupled to known Yersinia outer membrane immunogens such as the F1 antigen or the V antigen. Likewise, polysaccharide components could be conjugated to the proteins of the present invention to enhance the protective effect of the compositions. The chemical coupling of polypeptides of the present invention can be carried out using known and routine methods. For instance, various homobifunctional and/or heterobifunctional cross-linker reagents such as bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate, bis(diazobenzidine), dimethyl adipimidate, dimethyl pimelimidate, dimethyl superimidate, disuccinimidyl suberate, glutaraldehyde, m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide, sulfo-m-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide, sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cycloheane-1-carboxylate, sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(p-maleimido-phenyl)butyrate and (1-ethyl-3-(dimethyl-aminopropyl)carbodiimide can be used (see, for instance, Harlow and Lane, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, generally and Chapter 5, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., N.Y. (1988)).

Preferably, such compositions of the present invention include low concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS is a component of the outer membrane of most gram negative microbes (see, for instance, Nikaido and Vaara, Outer Membrane, In: Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Neidhardt et al., (eds.) American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., pp. 7-22 (1987), and typically includes polysaccharides (O-specific chain, the outer and inner core) and the lipid A region. The lipid A component of LPS is the most biologically active component of the LPS structure and together induce a wide spectrum of pathophysiological effects in mammals. The most dramatic effects are fever, disseminated intravascular coagulation, complement activation, hypotensive shock, and death. The non-specific immunostimulatory activity of LPS can enhance the formation of a granuloma at the site of administration of compositions that include LPS.

The concentration of LPS can be determined using routine methods known in the art. Such methods typically include measurement of dye binding by LPS (see, for instance, Keler and Nowotny, Analyt. Biochem., 156, 189 (1986)) or the use of a Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test (see, for instance, Endotoxins and Their Detection With the Limulus Amebocyte Lystate Test, Alan R. Liss, Inc., 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. (1982)). There are four basic commercially available methods that are typically used with an LAL test: the gel-clot test; the turbidimetric (spectrophotometric) test; the colorimetric test; and the chromogenic test. An example of a gel-clot assay is available under the tradename E-TOXATE (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.; see Sigma Technical Bulletin No. 210), and PYROTELL (Associates of Cape Cod, Inc., East Falmouth, Mass.). Typically, assay conditions include contacting the composition with a preparation containing a lysate of the circulating amebocytes of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. When exposed to LPS, the lysate increases in opacity as well as viscosity and may gel. About 0.1 milliliter of the composition is added to lysate. Typically, the pH of the composition is between 6 and 8, preferably, between 6.8 and 7.5. The mixture of composition and lysate is incubated for about 1 hour undisturbed at about 37° C. After incubation, the mixture is observed to determine if there was gelation of the mixture. Gelation indicates the presence of endotoxin. To determine the amount of endotoxin present in the composition, dilutions of a standardized solution of endotoxin are made and tested at the same time that the composition is tested. Standardized solutions of endotoxin are commercially available from, for instance, Sigma Chemical (Catalog No. 210-SE), U.S. Pharmacopeia (Rockville, Md., Catalog No. 235503), and Associates of Cape Cod, Inc., (Catalog No. E0005). In general, when a composition of the present invention is prepared by isolating polypeptides from a microbe by a method as described herein (e.g., a method that includes disrupting and solubilizing the cells, and collecting the insoluble polypeptides), the amount of LPS in a composition of the present invention is less than the amount of LPS present in a mixture of the same amount of the microbe that has been disrupted under the same conditions but not solubilized. Typically, the level of LPS in a composition of the present invention is decreased by, in increasing order of preference, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%; at least 80%, or at least 90% relative to the level of LPS in a composition prepared by disrupting, but not solubilizing, the same microbe.

The compositions of the present invention optionally further include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. “Pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to a diluent, carrier, excipient, salt, etc, that is compatible with the other ingredients of the composition, and not deleterious to the recipient thereof. Typically, the composition includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier when the composition is used as described herein. The compositions of the present invention may be formulated in pharmaceutical preparations in a variety of forms adapted to the chosen route of administration, including routes suitable for stimulating an immune response to an antigen. Thus, a composition of the present invention can be administered via known routes including, for example, oral; parental including intradermal, transcutaneous and subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, etc., and topically, such as, intranasal, intrapulmonary, intramammary, intravaginal, intrauterine, intradermal, transcutaneous and rectally etc. It is foreseen that a composition can be administered to a mucosal surface, such as by administration to the nasal or respiratory mucosa (e.g. spray or aerosol), to stimulate mucosal immunity, such as production of secretory IgA antibodies, throughout the animal's body.

A composition of the present invention can also be administered via a sustained or delayed release implant. Implants suitable for use according to the invention are known and include, for example, those disclosed in Emery and Straub (WO 01/37810 (2001)), and Emery et al., (WO 96/01620 (1996)). Implants can be produced at sizes small enough to be administered by aerosol or spray. Implants also include nanospheres and microspheres.

A composition of the present invention may be administered in an amount sufficient to treat certain conditions as described herein. The amount of polypeptides or whole cells present in a composition of the present invention can vary. For instance, the dosage of polypeptides can be between 0.01 micrograms (μg) and 300 mg, typically between 0.1 mg and 10 mg. When the composition is a whole cell preparation, the cells can be present at a concentration of, for instance, 10² bacteria/ml, 10³ bacteria/ml, 10⁴ bacteria/ml, 10⁵ bacteria/ml, 10⁶ bacteria/ml, 10⁷ bacteria/ml, 10⁸ bacteria/ml, or 10⁹ bacteria/ml. For an injectable composition (e.g. subcutaneous, intramuscular, etc.) the polypeptides may be present in the composition in an amount such that the total volume of the composition administered is 0.5 ml to 5.0 ml, typically 1.0-2.0 ml. When the composition is a whole cell preparation, the cells are preferably present in the composition in an amount that the total volume of the composition administered is 0.5 ml to 5.0 ml, typically 1.0-2.0 ml. The amount administered will vary depending on various factors including, but not limited to, the specific polypeptides chosen, the weight, physical condition and age of the animal, and the route of administration. Thus, the absolute weight of the polypeptide included in a given unit dosage form can vary widely, and depends upon factors such as the species, age, weight and physical condition of the animal, as well as the method of administration. Such factors can be determined by one of skill in the art. Other examples of dosages suitable for the invention are disclosed in Emery et al., (U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,736).

The formulations may be conveniently presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods of preparing a composition including a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier include the step of bringing the active compound (e.g., a polypeptide or whole cell of the present invention) into association with a carrier that constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing the active compound into association with a liquid carrier, a finely divided solid carrier, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulations.

A composition including a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can also include an adjuvant. An “adjuvant” refers to an agent that can act in a nonspecific manner to enhance an immune response to a particular antigen, thus potentially reducing the quantity of antigen necessary in any given immunizing composition, and/or the frequency of injection necessary in order to generate an adequate immune response to the antigen of interest. Adjuvants may include, for example, IL-1, IL-2, emulsifiers, muramyl dipeptides, dimethyldiocradecylammonium bromide (DDA), pyridine, aluminum hydroxide, oils, saponins, alpha-tocopherol, polysaccharides, emulsified paraffins (including, for instance, those available from under the tradename EMULSIGEN from MVP Laboratories, Ralston, Nebr.), ISA-70, RIM and other substances known in the art. It is expected that polypeptides of the present invention will have immunoregulatory activity, and that such polypeptides may be used as adjuvants that directly act as T and/or B cell activators or act on specific cell types that enhance the synthesis of various cytokines or activate intracellular signaling pathways. Such polypeptides are expected to augment the immune response to increase the protective index of the existing composition.

In another embodiment, a composition of the invention including a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can include a biological response modifier, such as, for example, IL-2, IL-4 and/or IL-6, TNF, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, and other cytokines that effect immune cells. An immunizing composition can also include other components known in the art such as an antibiotic, a preservative, an anti-oxidant, or a chelating agent.

The present invention also provides methods for obtaining the polypeptides described herein. The polypeptides and whole cells of the present invention are isolatable from a Yersinia spp. Preferred examples include Y. enterocolitica, Y. pestis, and Y. pesudotuberculosis. Microbes useful for obtaining polypeptides of the present invention and making whole cell preparations are readily available. In addition, such microbes are readily isolatable by techniques routine and known in the art. The microbes may be derived from an infected animal as a field isolate, and used to obtain polypeptides and/or whole cell preparations of the present invention, or stored for future use, for example, in a frozen repository at −20° C. to −95° C., in bacteriological media containing 20% glycerol, and other like media.

When a polypeptide of the present invention is to be obtained from a microbe, the microbe can be incubated under low metal conditions. As used herein, the phrase “low metal conditions” refers to an environment, typically bacteriological media, which contains amounts of a free metal that cause a microbe to express or enhance expression of metal regulated polypeptides. As used herein, the phrase “high metal conditions” refers to an environment that contains amounts of a free metal that cause a microbe to either not express one or more of the metal regulated polypeptides described herein at a detectable level, or to decrease expression of such a polypeptide. Metals are those present in the periodic table under Groups 1 through 17 (IUPAC notation; also referred to as Groups I-A, II-A, III-B, IV-B, V-B, VI-B, VII-B, VIII, I-B, II-B, III-A, IV-A, V-A, VI-A, and VII-A, respectively, under CAS notation). Preferably, metals are those in Groups 2 through 12, more preferably, Groups 3-12. Even more preferably, the metal is iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, or selenium, most preferably, iron.

Low metal conditions are generally the result of the addition of a metal chelating compound to a bacteriological medium, or the use of bacteriological media formulated to contain low amounts of a metal. High metal conditions are generally present when a chelator is not present in the medium, a metal is added to the medium, or the combination thereof. Examples of metal chelators include natural and synthetic compounds. Examples of natural compounds include plant phenolic compounds, such as flavenoids. Examples of flavenoids include the copper chelators catechin and naringenin, and the iron chelators myricetin and quercetin. Examples of synthetic copper chelators include, for instance, tetrathiomolybdate, and examples of synthetic zinc chelators include, for instance, N,N,N′,N′-Tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylene diamine. Examples of synthetic iron chelators include 2,2′-dipyridyl (also referred to in the art as α,α′-bipyridyl), 8-hydroxyquinoline, ethylenediamine-di-O-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (EDDHA), desferrioxamine methanesulphonate (desferol), transferrin, lactoferrin, ovotransferrin, biological siderophores, such as, the catecholates and hydroxamates, and citrate. Preferably, 2,2′-dipyridyl is used for the chelation of iron. Typically, 2,2′-dipyridyl is added to the media at a concentration of at least 0.0025 micrograms/milliliter (μg/ml), at least 0.025 μg/ml, or at least 0.25 μg/ml, and generally no greater than 10 μg/ml, no greater than 20 μg/ml, or no greater than 30 μg/ml.

It is expected that a Yersinia spp. with a mutation in a fur gene will result in the constitutive expression of many, if not all, of the iron regulated polypeptides of the present invention. The production of a fur mutation in a Yersinia spp. can be produced using routine methods including, for instance, transposon, chemical, or site-directed mutagenesis useful for generating gene knock-out mutations in gram negative bacteria.

The medium used to incubate the microbe and the volume of media used to incubate the microbe can vary. When a microbe is being evaluated for the ability to produce one or more of the polypeptides described herein, the microbe can be grown in a suitable volume, for instance, 10 milliliters to 1 liter of medium. When a microbe is being grown to obtain polypeptides for use in, for instance, administration to animals, the microbe may be grown in a fermentor to allow the isolation of larger amounts of polypeptides. Methods for growing microbes in a fermentor are routine and known in the art. The conditions used for growing a microbe preferably include a metal chelator, more preferably an iron chelator, for instance 2,2′-dipyridyl, a pH of between 6.5 and 7.5, preferably between 6.9 and 7.1, and a temperature of 37° C.

In some aspects of the invention, a microbe may be harvested after growth. Harvesting includes concentrating the microbe into a smaller volume and suspending in a media different than the growth media. Methods for concentrating a microbe are routine and known in the art, and include, for example, filtration or centrifugation. Typically, the concentrated microbe is suspended in decreasing amounts of buffer. Preferably, the final buffer includes a cation chelator, preferably, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). An example of a buffer that can be used contains Tris-base (7.3 grams/liter) and EDTA (0.9 grams/liter), at a pH of 8.5. Optionally, the final buffer also minimizes proteolytic degradation. This can be accomplished by having the final buffer at a pH of greater than 8.0, preferably, at least 8.5, and/or including one or more proteinase inhibitors (e.g., phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride). Optionally and preferably, the concentrated microbe is frozen at −20° C. or below until disrupted.

When the microbe is to be used as a whole cell preparation, the harvested cells may be processed using routine and known methods to inactivate the cells. Alternatively, when a microbe is to be used to prepare polypeptides of the present invention, the microbe may be disrupted using chemical, physical, or mechanical methods routine and known in the art, including, for example, french press, sonication, or homogenization. Preferably, homogenization is used. An example of a suitable device useful for homogenization is a model C500 Avestin Homogenizer, (Avestin Inc, Ottawa Canada). As used herein, “disruption” refers to the breaking up of the cell. Disruption of a microbe can be measured by methods that are routine and known in the art, including, for instance, changes in optical density. Typically, a microbe is subjected to disruption until the percent transmittance is increased by 20% when a 1:100 dilution is measured. The temperature during disruption is typically kept low, preferably at 4° C., to further minimize proteolytic degradation.

The disrupted microbe is solubilized in a detergent, for instance, an anionic, zwitterionic, nonionic, or cationic detergent. Preferably, the detergent is sarcosine, more preferably, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate. As used herein, the term “solubilize” refers to dissolving cellular materials (e.g., polypeptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates) into the aqueous phase of the buffer in which the microbe was disrupted, and the formation of aggregates of insoluble cellular materials. The conditions for solubilization preferably result in the aggregation of polypeptides of the present invention into insoluble aggregates that are large enough to allow easy isolation by, for instance, centrifugation.

Significant decreases in LPS are typically observed when the disrupted microbe is solubilized in higher levels of sarcosine, solubilized for longer periods, or the combination thereof. Preferably, the sarcosine is added such that the final ratio of sarcosine to gram weight of disrupted microbe is between 1.0 gram sarcosine per 4.5 grams pellet mass and 6.0 grams sarcosine per 4.5 grams pellet mass, preferably, 4.5 gram sarcosine per 4.5 grams pellet mass. The solubilization of the microbe may be measured by methods that are routine and known in the art, including, for instance, changes in optical density. Typically, the solubilization is allowed to occur for at least 24 hours, preferably, at least 48 hours, more preferably, at least 72 hours, most preferably, at least 96 hours. The temperature during disruption is typically kept low, preferably at 4° C.

The insoluble aggregates that include one or more of the polypeptides of the present invention may be isolated by methods that are routine and known in the art. Preferably, the insoluble aggregates are isolated by centrifugation. Typically, centrifugation of polypeptides that are insoluble in detergents requires centrifugal forces of at least 50,000×g, typically 100,000×g. The use of such centrifugal forces requires the use of ultracentrifuges, and scale-up to process large volumes of sample is often difficult and not economical with these types of centrifuges. The methods described herein provide for the production of insoluble aggregates large enough to allow the use of significantly lower centrifugal forces (for instance, 46,000×g). Methods for processing large volumes at these lower centrifugal forces are available and known in the art. Thus, the insoluble aggregates can be isolated at a significantly lower cost. Examples of suitable devices useful for centrifugation of large volumes include T-1 Sharples, (Alfa Laval Separations, Warminster, Pa.) and Hitachi Himac CC40 high speed centrifuges (Hitachi-Koki Co, Tokyo, Japan).

Optionally and preferably, the sarcosine is removed from the isolated polypeptides. Methods for removing sarcosine from the isolated polypeptides are known in the art, and include, for instance, diafiltration, precipitation, hydrophobic chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, or affinity chromatography, and ultra filtration and washing the polypeptides in alcohol by diafiltration. After isolation, the polypeptides suspended in buffer and stored at low temperature, for instance, −20° C. or below.

Polypeptides of the present invention may also be obtained from members of the genus Yersinia using methods that are known in the art. The isolation of the polypeptides may be accomplished as described in, for instance, Emery et al., (U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,479) and Emery et al., (U.S. Patent Application US 20030036639 A1).

In those aspects of the present invention where a whole cell preparation is to be made, methods known in the art can be used. For instance, after growth a microbe can be killed with the addition of an agent such as glutaraldehyde, formalin, or formaldehyde, at a concentration sufficient to inactivate the cells in the culture. For instance, formalin can be added at a concentration of 3% (vol:vol). After a period of time sufficient to inactivate the cells, the cells can be harvested by, for instance, diafiltration and/or centrifugation, and washed.

An aspect of the present invention is further directed to methods of using the compositions of the present invention. The methods include administering to an animal an effective amount of a composition of the present invention. The animal can be, for instance, avian (including, for instance, chickens or turkeys), bovine (including, for instance, cattle), caprine (including, for instance, goats), ovine (including, for instance, sheep), porcine (including, for instance, swine), bison (including, for instance, buffalo), a companion animal (including, for instance, cats, dogs, and horses), members of the family Cervidae (including, for instance, deer, elk, moose, caribou, and reindeer), piscine (including, for instance, salmon or trout), crustacean (including, for instance, lobster, crab, or shrimp), members of the family Muridae (including, for instance, rats or mice), or human.

In some aspects, the methods may further include additional administrations (e.g., one or more booster administrations) of the composition to the animal to enhance or stimulate a secondary immune response. A booster can be administered at a time after the first administration, for instance, 1 to 8 weeks, preferably 2 to 4 weeks, after the first administration of the composition. Subsequent boosters can be administered one, two, three, four, or more times annually. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is expected that in some aspects of the present invention annual boosters will not be necessary, as an animal will be challenged in the field by exposure to microbes expressing polypeptides present in the compositions having epitopes that are identical to or structurally related to epitopes present on polypeptides of the composition administered to the animal.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to methods for making antibody, such as inducing the production of antibody in an animal, or by recombinant techniques. The antibody produced includes antibody that specifically binds at least one polypeptide present in the composition. In this aspect of the invention, an “effective amount” is an amount effective to result in the production of antibody in the animal. Methods for determining whether an animal has produced antibodies that specifically bind polypeptides present in a composition of the present invention can be determined as described herein. The present invention further includes antibody that specifically bind to a polypeptide of the present invention, and compositions including such antibodies.

The method may be used to produce antibody that specifically binds polypeptides expressed by a microbe other than the microbe from which the polypeptides of the composition were isolated. As used herein, an antibody that can “specifically bind” a polypeptide is an antibody that interacts with the epitope of the antigen that induced the synthesis of the antibody, or interacts with a structurally related epitope. At least some of the polypeptides present in the compositions of the present invention typically include epitopes that are conserved in the polypeptides of different species of microbes. Accordingly, antibody produced using a composition derived from one microbe is expected to bind to polypeptides expressed by other microbes and provide broad spectrum protection against gram negative organisms. Examples of gram negative microbes to which the antibody may specifically bind are enteropathogens, for instance, members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, preferably, members of the genus Yersinia.

The present invention is also directed to the use of such antibody to target a microbe expressing a polypeptide of the present invention or a polypeptide having an epitope structurally related to an epitope present on a polypeptide of the present invention. A compound can be covalently bound to an antibody, where the compound can be, for instance, a toxin. Likewise, such compounds can be covalently bound to a bacterial siderophore, such as yersiniabactin, to target the microbe. The chemical coupling or conjugation of an antibody of the present invention or a portion thereof (such as an Fab fragment) can be carried out using known and routine methods.

In one aspect the invention is also directed to treating an infection in an animal caused by a gram negative microbe, preferably by a member of the genus Yersinia. As used herein, the term “infection” refers to the presence of a gram negative microbe, preferably, a member of the genus Yersinia, in an animal's body, which may or may not be clinically apparent. An animal with an infection by member of the genus Yersinia that is not clinically apparent is often referred to as an asymptomatic carrier. The method includes administering an effective amount of the composition of the present invention to an animal having an infection caused by a member of the genus Yersinia, and determining whether the Yersinia spp. causing the infection has decreased. Methods for determining whether an infection is caused by a member of the genus Yersinia are routine and known in the art.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for treating one or more symptoms of certain conditions in animals such as sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, dogs, birds, rodents and deer that may be caused by infection by a member of the genus Yersinia. Examples of conditions caused by Yersinia spp. infections include, for instance, diarrhea or enteritis in bovine, ovine, and porcine animals and humans, plague-like illnesses in domestic cats and humans, abortion in cattle and sheep, epididymitis-orchitis in rams, and multiple abscess formation in sheep. Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed at treating cold water diseases of fish such as enteric red mouth disease in juvenile fish, particularly in intensive aquaculture of trout and salmon. Treatment of symptoms associated with these conditions can be prophylactic or, alternatively, can be initiated after the development of a condition described herein. As used herein, the term “symptom” refers to objective evidence in a subject of a condition caused by infection by a member of the genus Yersinia spp. Symptoms associated with conditions referred to herein and the evaluation of such symptoms are routine and known in the art. Treatment that is prophylactic, for instance, initiated before a subject manifests symptoms of a condition caused by a microbe, is referred to herein as treatment of a subject that is “at risk” of developing the condition. Typically, an animal “at risk” of developing a condition is an animal present in an area where the condition has been diagnosed and/or is likely to be exposed to a Yersinia spp. causing the condition. Accordingly, administration of a composition can be performed before, during, or after the occurrence of the conditions described herein. Treatment initiated after the development of a condition may result in decreasing the severity of the symptoms of one of the conditions, or completely removing the symptoms. In this aspect of the invention, an “effective amount” is an amount effective to prevent the manifestation of symptoms of a disease, decrease the severity of the symptoms of a disease, and/or completely remove the symptoms.

The present invention is also directed to decreasing the colonization by gram negative bacteria, for instance blocking the attachment sites by gram negative bacteria, to tissues of the skeletal system (for instance, bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments), muscular system, (for instance, skeletal and smooth muscles), circulatory system (for instance, heart, blood vessels, capillaries and blood), nervous system (for instance, brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves), respiratory system (for instance, nose, trachea lungs, bronchi, bronchioceles, alveoli), digestive system (for instance, mouth, salivary glands oesophagus liver stomach large and small intestine), excretory system (for instance, kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra), endocrine system (for instance, hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands), reproductive system (for instance, ovaries, oviduct, uterus, vagina, mammary glands, testes, and seminal vesicles), lymphatic/immune systems (for instance, lymph, lymph nodes and vessels, mononuclear or white blood cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes t- and b-cells), and specific cell lineages (for instance, precursor cells, epitheial cells, stem cells), and the like. Preferably, the gram negative bacteria is a member of the genus Yersinia. The method includes administering an effective amount of a composition of the present invention to an animal colonized by, or at risk of being colonized by a member of the genus Yersinia. In this aspect of the invention, an “effective amount” is an amount effective to decrease colonization of the animal by the microbe. Methods for evaluating the colonization of an animal by a microbe are routine and known in the art. For instance, colonization of an animal's intestinal tract by a microbe can be determined by measuring the presence of the microbe in the animal's feces. It is expected that decreasing the colonization of an animal by a microbe will reduce transmission of the microbe to humans.

A composition of the invention can be used to provide for active or passive immunization against bacterial infection. Generally, the composition can be administered to an animal to provide active immunization. However, the composition can also be used to induce production of immune products, such as antibodies, which can be collected from the producing animal and administered to another animal to provide passive immunity. Immune components, such as antibodies, can be collected to prepare antibody compositions from serum, plasma, blood, colostrum, etc. for passive immunization therapies. Antibody compositions comprising monoclonal antibodies and/or anti-idiotypes can also be prepared using known methods. Such antibody compositions include chimeric antibodies and humanized antibodies. Chimeric antibodies include human-derived constant regions of both heavy and light chains and murine-derived variable regions that are antigen-specific (Morrison et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1984, 81(21):6851-5; LoBuglio et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1989, 86(16:4220-4; Boulianne et al., Nature, 1984, 312(5995):643-6.). Humanized antibodies substitute the murine constant and framework (FR) (of the variable region) with the human counterparts (Jones et al., Nature, 1986, 321(6069):522-5; Riechmann et al., Nature, 1988, 332(6162):323-7; Verhoeyen et al., Science, 1988, 239(4847):1534-6; Queen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1989, 86(24):10029-33; Daugherty et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1991, 19(9): 2471-6.). Alternatively, certain mouse strains can be used that have been genetically engineered to produce antibodies that are almost completely of human origin; following immunization the B cells of these mice are harvested and immortalized for the production of human monoclonal antibodies (Bruggeman and Taussig, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol., 1997, 8(4):455-8; Lonberg and Huszar, Int. Rev. Immunol., 1995; 13(1):65-93; Lonberg et al., Nature, 1994, 368:856-9; Taylor et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1992, 20:6287-95.). Passive antibody compositions and fragments thereof, e.g., scFv, Fab, F(ab′)₂ or Fv or other modified forms thereof, may be administered to a recipient in the form of serum, plasma, blood, colostrum, and the like. However, the antibodies may also be isolated from serum, plasma, blood, colostrum, and the like, using known methods for later use in a concentrated or reconstituted form such as, for instance, lavage solutions, impregnated dressings and/or topical agents and the like. Passive immunizing preparations may be particularly advantageous for treatment of acute systemic illness, or passive immunization of young animals that failed to receive adequate levels of passive immunity through maternal colostrum. Antibodies useful for passive immunization may also be useful to conjugate to various drugs or antibiotics that could be directly targeted to bacteria expressing during a systemic or localized infection a polypeptide of the present invention or a polypeptide having an epitope structurally related to an epitope present on a polypeptide of the present invention.

Animal models, in particular mouse models, are available for experimentally evaluating the compositions of the present invention (see, for instance, Alpar, H. O., et al., Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev., 51, 173-201, (2001), Brem, D., et al., Microbiology, 147, 1115-1127, (2001), Carter, P. B. and F. M. Collins, Infect. Immun., 9, 851-857, (1974), Collyn, F., et al., Infect. Immun., 72, 4784-9470, (2004), Di Genaro, M. S., et al., Microbiol. Immunol., 42, 781-788, (1998), Grosfeld, H., et al., Infect Immun, 71, 374-383, (2003), Jones, S. M., et al., Vaccine, 19, 358-366, (2001), Karlyshev, A. V., et al., Infect Immun, 69, 7810-7819, (2001), Leary, S. E., et al., Microb Pathog, 23, 167-179, (1997), Noll, A., et al., Eur J Immunol, 29, 986-996, (1999), Pelludat, C., et al., Infect Immun, 70, 1832-1841, (2002), Sabhnani, L., et al., FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 38, 215-29, (2003), and Williamson, E. D., et al., Vaccine, 19, 566-571, (2000)). These mouse models are commonly accepted models for the study of human disease caused by members of the genus Yersinia, and additionally have served as accepted models in the development and initial testing of vaccines aimed at preventing human illnesses by Yersinia spp.

Another aspect of the present invention provides methods for detecting antibody that specifically binds polypeptides of the present invention. These methods are useful in, for instance, detecting whether an animal has antibody that specifically bind polypeptides of the present invention, and diagnosing whether an animal may have a condition caused by a microbe expressing polypeptides described herein, or expressing polypeptides that share epitopes with the polypeptides described herein. Such diagnostic systems may be in kit form. The methods include contacting an antibody with a preparation that includes polypeptides of the present invention to result in a mixture. The antibody may be present in a biological sample, for instance, blood, milk, or colostrum. The method further includes incubating the mixture under conditions to allow the antibody to specifically bind the polypeptide to form a polypeptide:antibody complex. As used herein, the term “polypeptide:antibody complex” refers to the complex that results when an antibody specifically binds to a polypeptide. The preparation that includes the polypeptides of the present invention may also include reagents, for instance a buffer, that provide conditions appropriate for the formation of the polypeptide:antibody complex. The polypeptide:antibody complex is then detected. The detection of antibodies is known in the art and can include, for instance, immunofluorescence and peroxidase. The methods for detecting the presence of antibodies that specifically bind to polypeptides of the present invention can be used in various formats that have been used to detect antibody, including radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The present invention also provides a kit for detecting antibody that specifically binds polypeptides of the present invention. The antibody detected may be obtained from an animal suspected to have an infection caused by a gram negative microbe, more preferably, a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae preferably, a member of the genus Yersinia, such as Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, or Y. pestis. The kit includes at least one of the polypeptides of the present invention, or a number of polypeptides that is an integer greater than 1 (e.g., at least 2, at least 3, etc.), in a suitable packaging material in an amount sufficient for at least one assay. Optionally, other reagents such as buffers and solutions needed to practice the invention are also included. For instance, a kit may also include a reagent to permit detection of an antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide of the present invention, such as a detectably labeled secondary antibody designed to specifically bind to an antibody obtained from an animal. Instructions for use of the packaged polypeptides are also typically included. As used herein, the phrase “packaging material” refers to one or more physical structures used to house the contents of the kit. The packaging material is constructed by well known methods, generally to provide a sterile, contaminant-free environment. The packaging material may have a label which indicates that the polypeptides can be used for detecting antibody that specifically binds polypeptides of the present invention. In addition, the packaging material contains instructions indicating how the materials within the kit are employed to detect the antibody. As used herein, the term “package” refers to a container such as glass, plastic, paper, foil, and the like, capable of holding within fixed limits the polypeptides, and other reagents, for instance a secondary antibody. Thus, for example, a package can be a microtiter plate well to which microgram quantities of polypeptides have been affixed. A package can also contain a secondary antibody. “Instructions for use” typically include a tangible expression describing the reagent concentration or at least one assay method parameter, such as the relative amounts of reagent and sample to be admixed, maintenance time periods for reagent/sample admixtures, temperature, buffer conditions, and the like.

The present invention is illustrated by the following examples. It is to be understood that the particular examples, materials, amounts, and procedures are to be interpreted broadly in accordance with the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Production and Isolation of Metal Regulated Proteins

The compositions used in the following examples were prepared using the proteins derived from Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729 and Y. pestis strain KIM6+ (obtained from R. D. Perry, University of Kentucky). The two strains were each inoculated from frozen stocks into 25 ml tryptic soy broth (TSB) containing 160 μM 2,2-diprydyl or 300 μM FeCl₃, and incubated at 37° C. while shaking at 400 rpm. Following 12 hours of incubation, 5 ml of each culture was transferred into 500 ml of pre-incubated (37° C.) media containing 160 μM 2,2-diprydyl or 300 μM FeCl₃ and incubated at 37° C. while stirring at 100 rpm. After 8 hours of incubation, the cultures were centrifuged at 10,000×g for 20 minutes. The bacterial pellets were resuspended in 100 ml of sterile physiological saline and centrifuged at 10,000×g for 10 minutes to remove any contaminating media proteins. The bacterial pellets were then resuspended in 40 ml of Tris-buffered saline pH 7.2 (TBS) and disrupted by sonication for 1.5 minutes at 4° C. using a Branson 450 equipped with a half inch disruption horn (Branson, Danbury Conn.). The disrupted bacterial suspensions were clarified by centrifugation at 32,000×g for 12 minutes. The supernatants were collected and solubilized by the addition of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (4% vol/vol) at 4° C. for 24 hours. The detergent-insoluble protein-enriched fractions were collected by centrifugation at 32,000×g for 2.5 hours at 4° C. The protein pellets were resuspended in 200 μl Tris-buffer (pH 7.2) and stored at −90° C. A sample of each extract was resolved on a 10% SDS-PAGE gel per standard methods and visualized by Coomassie Blue staining (FIG. 3).

Example 2 Preparation of the Immunizing Compositions Derived from Y. enterocolitica

The proteins made from Y. enterocolitica as described in Example 1 were used to prepare a composition for administration to animals. The composition contained polypeptides having molecular weights of 268 kDa, 92 kDa, 83 kDa, 79 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, 54 kDa, 45 kDa, 40 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa, or 28 kDa. The polypeptides having molecular weights of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, and 66 kDa were expressed only under iron limited conditions, and the expression of polypeptides having molecular weights of 268 kDa, 79 kDa, and 45 kDa was enhanced under iron limited conditions.

A stock vaccine was prepared from the composition by emulsifying the aqueous protein suspension (500 μg total protein/ml) into the commercial adjuvant, EMULSIGEN, (MVP Laboratories, Ralston, Nebr.) using an IKA Ultra Turrax T-50 homogenizing vessel (IKA, Cincinnati, Ohio). The vaccine was administered to mice to give a final dose of 50 μg total protein in a 0.1 ml injectable volume with an adjuvant concentration of 22.5% vol/vol. A placebo was prepared by replacing the antigen with physiological saline in the above formulation and emulsifying the suspension into EMULSIGEN to give an adjuvant concentration of 22.5%.

Example 3 Preparation of Challenge Organism

When used as a challenge, the Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729 was prepared as follows. Briefly, the isolate from a frozen stock was streaked onto a blood agar plate and incubated at 37° C. for 18 hours. A single colony was subcultured into 50 ml Tryptic Soy Broth (Difco) containing 25 μg/ml 2,2′ dipyridyl. The culture was incubated at 37° C. for 6 hours while rotating at 200 rpm, at which point the culture was centrifuged at 10,000×g for 10 minutes at 4° C. to pellet the bacteria. The bacterial pellet was washed twice by centrifugation in physiological saline at 4° C. The final pellet was resuspended in 25 ml of physiological saline and used for challenge. Just prior to challenge, 1 ml of the above bacterial suspension was serially diluted ten fold to enumerate the number of CFU/mouse dose.

Example 4 Mouse Vaccination and Challenge Study to Evaluate Protection Against Intravenous Challenge

The efficacy of the Y. enterocolitica composition was evaluated using a live virulent challenge in mice. Twenty CF-1 mice (Harlan Breeding Laboratories, Indianapolis, Ind.) were divided into two groups of 10 mice per group. Mice in the control group were vaccinated with the placebo, while mice in the second group were immunized with 50 μg of the composition obtained as described in Example 1. Immunizations of 0.1 cc were administered intraperitoneally two times at 14 day intervals. Fourteen days after the second vaccination, a challenge dose of strain 27729 (9.4×10⁴ CFU/mouse) was administered to all mice in the lateral tail vein. Mortality was recorded for 7 days following challenge.

Of the 10 placebo-vaccinated mice, 10 (100%) died within 168 hours of challenge, while none of the vaccinated mice died within the same time period. Furthermore, all of the vaccinated mice survived for the remainder of the study, which was terminated at 20 days post-challenge. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and logrank test (see FIG. 1) indicated that immunization provided statistically significant (p<0.0001-) protection against challenge. These results suggest that proteins from Y. enterocolitica grown under iron-restricted conditions constitute effective antigens in the intravenous mouse model of infection.

Example 5 Western Blot Analysis of Y. enterocolitica Proteins with Hyperimmunized and Convalescent Mouse Polyclonal Serum

Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the immuno-reactive proteins derived from Y. enterocolitica against hyperimmunized mouse polyclonal serum and convalescent sera. Hyperimmunized mouse polyclonal serum was obtained after vaccinating with the composition described in example 2, and convalescent sera was obtained from vaccinated/challenged mice that survived the trial described in example 4. The composition contained polypeptides having molecular weights of 268 kDa, 92 kDa, 79 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, 54 kDa, 52 kDa, 41 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa, 28 kDa, and two proteins having molecular weights of 83 kDa. The polypeptides having molecular weights of 83 kDa, 70 kDa, and 66 kDa were expressed only under iron limited conditions.

To obtain hyper-immunized serum, mice were immunized two times at 14 day intervals as described in Example 4. The hyperimmunized polyclonal serum was collected from mice 14 days following the second immunization. Convalescent serum derived from vaccinated/challenged mice was obtained 14 days after challenge. The proteins derived from Y. enterocolitica strain 27729 were first size fractionated on SDS-PAGE (4% stacker/10% resolving gel) using 30 ug total protein as described in example 1. Band migration was visualized using broad range kaleidoscope standards (BioRad) to aid in the electroblot transfer while biotinylated broad range standards were used as molecular weight references on the blot. For western blot analysis, proteins were electroblotted from the SDS-PAGE gel onto trans-blot nitrocellulose membranes (BioRad) overnight, at 4° C. at 50 Volts, in Towbin buffer (25 mm Tris, 192 mM glycine, and 20% methanol) using a BioRad Trans-Blot transfer cell. The nitrocellulose membrane was blocked by standard methods using 3.0% fish gelatin (BioRad). The hyperimmunized polyclonal serum and convalescent sera was diluted 1/25000 in Tris-buffered saline containing 1.0% fish gelatin, 0.05% tween 20 and 0.2% sodium azide (antibody buffer). The nitrocellulose membrane was incubated with the primary antibody solution overnight. The membrane was then washed two times in Tris-Buffered Saline containing 0.05% tween 20 (TTBS) and transferred to antibody buffer containing a 1/10,000 dilution of goat anti-mouse antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (BioRad) and a 1/3,000 dilution of avidin conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (BioRad). The membrane was incubated at 37° C. for 2 hours on a shaker, and subsequently washed in TTBS four times to remove unbound conjugate. The blot was resolved, for 30 minutes at 37° C. on a shaker, in substrate solution containing alkaline phosphate color reagent A and B in 1×AP color development buffer (BioRad).

Western blot analysis was used as a tool to potentially identify proteins derived from the composition as described in example 1 as immuno-reactive with antibodies derived from the hyperimmunized and/or convalescent sera. Western blot analysis revealed a number of immuno-reactive proteins. The hyperimmunized sera contained antibodies that reacted with proteins at the 268 kDa, 92 kDa, 83 kDa, 79 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, 54 kDa, 52 kDa, 41 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa and 28 kDa. Similarly, the convalescent sera showed identical banding patterns at the 268 kDa, 92 kDa, 83 kDa, 79 kDa, 70 kDa, 66 kDa, 54 kDa, 52 kDa, 41 kDa, 38 kDa, 37 kDa, 31 kDa and 28 kDa. In addition, three immuno-reactive proteins were seen at the 52 kDa; 40 kDa and 20 kDa regions that were not seen on the SDS-PAGE gel initially, nor were they seen in the western blot analysis using the hyperimmunized sera. It is interesting to speculate that these three proteins were at too low of concentration to be visualized on the SDS-PAGE gel, but may be highly immunogenic resulting in greater band intensity after priming the immune system that resulted in an enhanced band intensity of these proteins after challenge.

The Western Blot analysis of the vaccine composition revealed differences in band intensities of the immuno-reactive proteins between both the hyperimmunized and convalescent sera. These differences could be the result of different immunogenic properties of individual proteins and how the immune system recognizes each individual protein within the composition. In addition, the amount and ratio of proteins within the composition can also influence the immunological status of each protein which can influence the immunological response of the animal to individual proteins within the composition. Nevertheless, each protein within the composition reacted immunologically as examined by Western Blot Analysis, thus the immunological response of the mouse upon vaccination, recognized and responded mounting an antibody response to each individual protein within the composition. Taken together, the results as described in example 4 illustrate that the protein composition was extremely efficacious providing a 100% protection in challenged mice compared to the non-vaccinated mice having 100% mortality.

Example 6 Western Blot Analysis of Y. pestis Proteins with Hyperimmunized Serum Prepared Against Proteins of Y. enterocolitica

Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the immuno-reactive proteins derived from Y. pestis against hyperimmunized sera prepared against the composition derived from Y. enterocolitica as described in example 5. The composition contained polypeptides having molecular weights of 254 kDa, 104 kDa, 99 kDa, 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, 64 kDa, 60 kDa, 46 kDa, 44 kDa, 37 kDa 36 kDa, 31 kDa 28 kDa and 20 kDa. The polypeptides having molecular weights of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, and 64 kDa were expressed only under iron limited conditions. The proteins derived from Y. pestis strain KIM6+ was first size fractionated on SDS-PAGE (4% stacker/10% resolving gel) as previously described in example 5 using 30 ug total protein. Western blot analysis was run under identical conditions as described in example 5 except for the following modification; the convalescent sera was not tested against the membrane proteins of Y. pestis. The results showed proteins at approximately the 254 kDa, 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 46 kDa, 44 kDa, 37 kDa, 36 kDa and 20 kDa regions to be immuno-reactive with antibodies derived from the hyperimmunized serum prepared against membrane proteins of Y. enterocolitica.

Example 7 Mouse Vaccination and Challenge Study to Evaluate Protection Against Intravenous and Pneumonic Y. pestis Challenge

Eighty-eight female Swiss-Webster (Harlan Laboratories) weighing 16-22 grams are equally distributed into 4 groups (22 mice/group), designated 1 through 4. The animals are housed in a HEPA-filtered, micro-vent positive air supply animal caging system (BSL3 facility). Food and water are supplied ad libitum.

Proteins from Y. pestis strain KIM6+ are prepared as described above in example 1, and formulated as a vaccine using aluminum hydroxide as the adjuvant (Rehydagel-HPA, Rheis N.J.) at a final concentration of 20% vol/vol and 500 μg total protein/ml. The placebo is prepared by replacing the antigen with PBS while maintaining the same adjuvant concentration. Mice in Groups 1 and 3 are vaccinated intraperitoneally two times at 14 day intervals with 0.1 ml of vaccine containing 50 μg total protein, while mice in Groups 2 and 4 are immunized with the placebo by an identical schedule.

Y. pestis strain C092 is used for challenge, and is prepared in a BSL3 containment facility. Fourteen days after the second vaccination, mice in Groups 1 and 2 are challenged intravenously in the lateral tail vein with 0.1 ml strain C092 (10³ CFU or approximately 100 LD₅₀ per mouse). Mice in groups 3 and 4 are subjected to an aerosolized challenge dose of Y. pestis C092 diluted in physiological saline to achieve an approximate concentration of 100 LD₅₀ CFU per mouse for 30 minutes in an airtight chamber. The aerosolized LD₅₀ for strain C092 in Swiss Webster mice is determined by small pilot studies prior to the proposed challenge experiments. Mortality is recorded for 21 days after challenge.

Example 8 Fish Vaccination and Challenge Study to Evaluate Protection Against Y. ruckeri Challenge

Two groups of 20 rainbow trout, designated as groups 1 and 2 weighing approximately 2 grams are maintained in two separate 60 liter tanks at a temperature of 18° C. Fish are fed twice daily with a commercial trout feed (Ziegler Brothers, Gardners, Pa.). Fish in group 1 are vaccinated with a composition derived from Y. ruckeri using the same method as described in example 1. The extracted proteins derived from Y. ruckeri are used to prepare a vaccine composition for administration to fish. A stock vaccine is prepared from the composition by emulsifying the aqueous protein suspension into a water-in-oil emulsion containing Drakeol 6 mineral oil and Arlacel A as an emulsifier. The vaccine is administered intraperitoneally to give a final dose of 25 ug total protein in a 0.1 cc injectable volume using 0.1 cc. A placebo is prepared by replacing the antigen with physiological saline in the above formulation and is given to the fish in group 2 (controls). Fish are given a second vaccination 28 days after the first vaccination. Fourteen days after the second vaccination all fish are intraperitoneally challenged.

A virulent isolate of Y. ruckeri is used for challenge. The challenge isolate is cultured in Tryticase Soy Broth (TSB) containing 160 μM 2,2-diprydyl and grown for 12 hours of incubation at 37° C. The culture is washed once in physiological saline by centrifugation at 10,000×g and resuspended in saline. The culture is adjusted to 5.0×10⁷ CFU per ml. Each trout is intraperitoneally inoculated with 0.1 cc of the corresponding bacteria at a final challenge dose of 5.0×10⁶ CFU. Mortality was recorded daily for 14 days after challenge. All dead fish are removed from the tank and the livers are removed and plated to enumerate the presence of the challenge organism. Efficacy is measured as a degree of livability comparing vaccinates to non-vaccinated controls.

Example 9 Characterization of Metal Regulated Proteins of Y. enterocolitica ATCC Strain 27729 and Y. pestis Strain KIM6+

The proteins of the composition prepared as described in example 1 from Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729 and Y. pestis strain KIM6+ were characterized using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Samples of each composition were was resolved using a 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. After the proteins of a composition had been resolved, the gel was stained with coomasie brilliant blue to visualize the proteins.

Materials and Methods

Excision and Washing.

The gel was washed for 10 minutes with water twice. Each protein band of interest was excised by cutting as close to the protein band as possible to reduce the amount of gel present in the sample. Each gel slice was cut into 1×1 mm cubes and placed in 1.5 ml tube. The gel pieces were washed with water for 15 minutes. All the solvent volumes used in the wash steps were approximately equal to twice the volume of the gel slice. The gel slice was next washed with water/acetonitrile (1:1) for 15 minutes. The water/acetonitrile mixture was removed, and acetonitrile was added to cover until the gel pieces turned a sticky white, at which time the acetonitrile was removed. The gel pieces were rehydrated in 100 mM NH₄HCO₃, and after 5 minutes, a volume of acetonitrile equal to twice the volume of the gel pieces was added. This was incubated for 15 minutes, the liquid removed, and the gel pieces dried in a SpeedVac.

Reduction & Alkylation.

The dried gel pieces were rehydrated in 10 mM DTT and 100 mM NH₄HCO₃, and incubated for 45 minutes at 56° C. After allowing the tubes to cool to room temperature, the liquid was removed and the same volume of a mixture of 55 mM iodoacetamide and 100 mM NH₄HCO₃ was immediately added. This was incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature in the dark. The liquid was removed, acetonitrile was added to cover until the gel pieces turned a sticky white, at which time the acetonitrile was removed. The gel pieces were rehydrated in 100 mM NH₄HCO₃, and after 5 minutes, a volume of acetonitrile equal to twice the volume of the gel pieces was added. This was incubated for 15 minutes, the liquid removed, and the gel pieces dried in a Speed vac. If residual coomassie still remained, the wash with 100 mM NH₄HCO₃/acetonitrile was repeated.

In-Gel Digestion.

Gel pieces were completely dried down in a Speed Vac. The pieces were rehydrated in digestion buffer (50 mM NH₄HCO₃, 5 mM CaCl₂, 12.5 nanograms per microliter (ng/μl) trypsin) at 4° C. Enough buffer was added to cover the gel pieces, and more was added as needed. The gel pieces were incubated on ice for 45 minutes, and the supernatant removed and replaced with 5-2 μl of same buffer without trypsin. This was incubated at 37° C. overnight in an air incubator.

Extraction of Peptides.

A sufficient volume of 25 mM NH₄HCO₃ was added to cover gel pieces, and incubated for 15 minutes (typically in a bath sonicator). The same volume of acetonitrile was added and incubated for 15 minutes (in a bath sonicator if possible), and the supernatant was recovered. The extraction was repeated twice, using 5% formic acid instead of NH₄HCO₃. A sufficient volume of 5% formic acid was added to cover gel pieces, and incubated for 15 minutes (typically in a bath sonicator). The same volume of acetonitrile was added and incubated for 15 minutes (typically in a bath sonicator), and the supernatant was recovered. The extracts were pooled, and 10 mM DTT was added to a final concentration of 1 mM DTT. The sample was dried in a SpeedVac to a final volume of approximately 5 μl.

Desalting of Peptides.

The samples were desalted using ZIPTIP pipette tips (C18, Millipore, Billerica, Mass.) as suggested by the manufacturer. Briefly, a sample was reconstituted in reconstitution solution (5:95 acetonitrile:H₂O, 0.1%-0.5% trifluoroacetic acid), centrifuged, and the pH checked to verify that it was less than 3. A ZIPTIP was hydrated by aspirating 10 μl of solution 1 (50:50 acetonitrile:H₂O, 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid) and discarding the aspirated aliquots. This was followed by aspirating 10 μl of solution 2 (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in deionized H₂O) and discarding the aspirated aliquots. The sample was loaded into the tip by aspirating 10 μl of the sample slowly into the tip, expelling it into the sample tube, and repeating this 5 to 6 times. Ten microliters of solution 2 was aspirated into the tip, the solution discarded by expelling, and this process was repeated 5-7 times to wash. The peptides were eluted by aspirating 2.5 μl of ice cold solution 3 (60:40, acetonitrile:H₂O, 0.1% trofluoroacetic acid), expelling, and then re-aspirating the same aliquot in and out of the tip 3 times. After the solution has been expelled from the tip, the tube is capped and stored on ice.

Mass Spectrometric Peptide Mapping.

The peptides were suspended in 10 μl to 30 μl of 5% formic acid, and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker Daltonics Inc., Billerica, Mass.). The mass spectrum of the peptide fragments was determined as suggested by the manufacturer. Briefly, a sample containing the peptides resulting from a tryptic digest were mixed with matrix cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, transferred to a target, and allowed to dry. The dried sample was placed in the mass spectrometer, irradiated, and the time of flight of each ion detected and used to determine a peptide mass fingerprint for each protein present in the composition. Known polypeptides (human angiotensin II, monoisotopic mass MH⁺ 1046.5 (Sigma Chemical Co.), and adenocorticotropin hormone fragment 18-39, MH⁺ 2465.2 (Sigma Chemical Co.)) were used to standardize the machine.

Data Analysis.

The experimentally observed masses for the peptides in each mass spectrum were compared to the expected masses of resulting from known proteins using the Peptide Mass Fingerprint search method of the Mascot search engine (Matrix Science Ltd., London, UK, and www.matrixscience.com, see Perkins et al., Electrophoresis 20, 3551-3567 (1999)). The search parameters included: database, NCBInr; taxonomy, bacteria (eubacteria); type of search, peptide mass fingerprint; enzyme, trypsin; fixed modifications, none; variable modifications, none or oxidized methionine; mass values, monoisotopic; protein mass, unrestricted; peptide mass tolerance, ±1 Da or ±1 330 ppm; peptide charge state, Mr; max missed cleavages, 1; number of queries, 25.

Results

The result of this search was a mass fingerprint for protein present in the composition (Tables 5 and 6).

TABLE 5 Experimental data from MALDI-TOF MS analysis of proteins isolated from Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729. Approximate molecular m/z value of polypeptide Polypeptide weight in kilodaltons fragments resulting from Designation (kDa)¹ trypsin digestion² Lw545 268 929.46 1140.47 1312.57 1440.69 1526.68 1555.66 1581.70 1596.67 1683.69 2110.21 Lw391A (±1 Da) 83 687.5 976.4 1001.6 1016.5 1141.6 1170.7 1171.7 1198.5 1344.5 1357.7 1395.6 1453.7 1477.7 1521.7 1693.8 1716.8 1829.8 1962.0 2014.1 2020.0 2042.0 2164.1 2226.1 2417.3 3175.5 Lw391B (±1 Da) 83 1001.6 1104.6 1140.6 1155.5 1171.7 1209.5 1214.7 1338.6 1453.7 1568.8 1634.9 1651.8 1660.9 1709.8 1750.0 1851.0 1988.1 2105.1 2112.1 2164.1 2387.2 2453.1 2538.4 3423.7 Lw392 (±1 Da 79 837.5 1018.6 1071.5 1086.5 1132.7 1189.5 1215.6 1236.6 1256.6 1264.6 1361.6 1497.7 1502.8 1615.7 1653.8 1718.9 1770.9 1820.9 1828.1 2006.0 2067.1 2120.9 2300.3 2308.2 2783.3 2912.4 3024.5 3287.6 Lw393 (±1 Da) 70 714.6 760.5 807.5 820.5 920.5 1024.6 1052.6 1187.6 1200.6 1395.7 1437.7 1480.7 1541.9 1546.9 1565.8 1668.8 1732.0 1790.9 1906.0 1982.2 1984.1 1997.1 2011.1 2028.2 2060.2 2134.1 2163.3 2275.4 2364.3 2378.5 2384.3 2564.4 2658.4 2834.7 2930.7 Lw550 66 868.6500 882.5700 884.5900 1021.7000 1087.7100 1168.7300 1177.8200 1208.6800 1346.8700 1750.0100 1755.0500 1852.2800 2521.8100 2607.6700 2944.1000 3087.0800 Lw552 45 1140.5500 1209.5400 1312.5800 1440.6400 1501.6900 1526.6200 1581.6800 1596.6800 Lw555 37 705.3700 881.2400 971.1700 1122.3100 1280.1900 1295.2200 1335.2900 1510.3000 1908.5300 2245.7300 2324.7100 2642.7500 2985.0200 3087.9700 Lw557 31 864.49 1404.50 1616.68 1780.68 1876.82 2071.04 2379.08 ¹Molecular weight, in kilodaltons, of polypeptide obtained from Y. enterocolitica ATCC strain 27729. ²m/z, mass (m) to charge (z) ratio.

TABLE 6 Experimental data from MALDI-TOF MS analysis of proteins isolated from Y. pestis strain KIM6+. m/z value of polypeptide Polypeptide Approximate molecular weight fragments resulting from Designation in kilodaltons (kDa)¹ trypsin digestion² Lw529 104 644.50 685.40 771.40 841.40 899.50 962.40 1137.40 1277.40 1293.40 1386.40 1410.50 1422.60 1498.60 1567.50 1679.70 1684.60 1726.70 1873.70 1991.70 2020.80 2182.80 2584.90 2843.20 Lw530 99 1191.40 1514.50 1591.50 1597.50 1637.50 1671.50 1714.60 1719.60 1751.60 1820.60 1863.70 1967.60 2122.60 Lw531 94 962.20 1168.20 1258.30 1372.30 1384.30 1409.30 1521.40 1669.50 1686.40 1714.40 1717.40 1797.50 1833.50 1845.50 2218.60 2426.60 Lw532 88 889.30 927.30 946.40 961.40 1172.40 1177.40 1290.40 1333.50 1358.40 1404.50 1419.50 1508.50 1579.60 1673.60 1736.60 2401.00 2666.00 Lw533 77 687.40 785.40 859.30 953.40 1141.50 1156.50 1171.50 1198.40 1403.50 1409.50 1483.50 1523.50 1551.60 1618.60 1675.50 1746.60 1788.70 1820.70 1852.80 1941.60 2013.90 2018.80 2057.80 2168.80 2170.00 2427.00 2457.80 2829.10 Lw534 73 629.40 749.40 910.30 931.40 1292.50 1371.50 1441.40 1479.50 1587.60 1605.60 1641.60 1655.50 1706.60 1708.60 1758.70 1797.80 1856.80 1913.70 2004.80 2072.80 2155.90 2301.90 2395.90 2484.90 2558.20 2676.20 2984.10 3162.30 3185.30 3425.50 3472.40 Lw535 64 714.40 760.40 774.40 807.40 920.40 1024.40 1052.40 1103.40 1165.40 1187.40 1200.40 1282.50 1395.40 1445.50 1480.50 1546.60 1668.50 1693.60 1731.60 1790.60 1905.70 1969.70 1981.80 2010.80 2027.80 2059.80 2163.00 2363.90 2378.10 2820.20 2930.20 Lw536 60 1011.46 1187.55 1231.54 1238.57 1291.57 1567.76 1605.78 1621.74 1669.68 2021.02 2397.21 Lw537 46 873.53 1001.53 1180.50 1258.60 1300.67 1307.58 1325.59 1368.72 1395.70 1436.67 1609.91 1616.82 1780.94 1952.05 1959.02 2020.04 2099.15 2178.22 2710.51 Lw538 44 776.51 837.65 905.62 1027.71 1073.74 1200.79 1232.67 1233.72 1290.81 1376.71 1603.90 1615.01 1711.08 1774.04 1796.13 1906.14 1978.16 2001.23 Lw683 37 691.26 894.21 911.21 1050.26 1115.19 1120.19 1122.24 1198.17 1263.19 1308.24 1320.34 1423.28 1437.31 1491.23 1534.41 1579.39 2245.71 2367.68 2487.63 2684.79 2980.02 3292.91 Lw541 31 1020.84 1075.77 1203.86 1248.88 1322.87 1404.95 1788.29 1991.60 2092.61 2119.74 Lw542 31 1143.91 1299.97 1309.09 1341.97 1372.04 1580.12 1781.45 1791.43 1954.57 2191.78 2632.11 Lw544 20 807.40 1114.43 1210.48 1244.46 1259.51 1270.49 1357.49 1790.90 2003.91 2989.45 ¹Molecular weight, in kilodaltons, of polypeptide obtained from Y. pestis strain KIM6+. ²m/z, mass (m) to charge (z) ratio.

The complete disclosure of all patents, patent applications, and publications, and electronically available material (including, for instance, nucleotide sequence submissions in, e.g., GenBank and RefSeq, and amino acid sequence submissions in, e.g., SwissProt, PIR, PRF, PDB, and translations from annotated coding regions in GenBank and RefSeq) cited herein are incorporated by reference. The foregoing detailed description and examples have been given for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. The invention is not limited to the exact details shown and described, for variations obvious to one skilled in the art will be included within the invention defined by the claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, molecular weights, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. All numerical values, however, inherently contain a range necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not be used to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unless so specified. 

1-62. (canceled)
 63. A composition comprising: isolated antibody that specifically binds to polypeptides having molecular weights of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, and 64 kDa, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel, wherein the polypeptides having a molecular weight of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, and 64 kDa are expressed by a Yersinia pestis at a greater level when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator than when grown in the media without the iron chelator.
 64. The composition of claim 63 wherein: the 94 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 961.44, 1167.49, 1257.64, 1371.63, 1383.64, 1408.71, 1520.82, 1668.86, 1685.79, 1713.78, 1716.81, 1796.92, 1832.92, 1844.91, 2218.12, and 2426.09 Da; the 88 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 888.51, 926.46, 945.53, 960.54, 1171.60, 1176.57, 1289.64, 1332.67, 1357.66, 1403.74, 1418.68, 1507.73, 1578.78, 1672.80, 1735.83, 2400.17, and 2665.28 Da; the 77 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 686.37, 784.49, 858.41, 952.50, 1140.65, 1155.66, 1170.64, 1197.57, 1402.71, 1408.68, 1482.73, 1522.71, 1550.77, 1617.74, 1674.78, 1745.84, 1787.92, 1819.96, 1851.87, 1940.75, 2013.02, 2017.97, 2056.96, 2168.01, 2169.10, 2426.25, 2457.00, and 2828.33 Da; the 73 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 628.39, 748.43, 909.42, 930.51, 1291.71, 1370.81, 1440.70, 1478.71, 1586.83, 1604.86, 1640.87, 1654.77, 1705.82, 1707.83, 1757.91, 1796.97, 1856.01, 1912.94, 2004.03, 2072.02, 2155.08, 2301.07, 2395.11, 2484.12, 2557.36, 2557.36, 2675.42, 2983.33, 3161.51, 3184.52, 3424.79, and 3471.62 Da; and the 64 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 713.42, 759.42, 773.40, 806.41, 919.48, 1023.50, 1051.53, 1102.55, 1164.56, 1186.57, 1199.60, 1281.67, 1394.68, 1444.73, 1479.70, 1545.80, 1667.72, 1692.82, 1730.85, 1789.81, 1904.85, 1968.90, 1981.02, 2009.89, 2027.02, 2058.99, 2162.17, 2363.13, 2377.30, 2819.49, and 2929.46 Da.
 65. The composition of claim 63 further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 66. The composition of claim 63 wherein the polypeptides are isolatable from Y. pestis strain KIM6+.
 67. A composition comprising: isolated antibody that specifically binds to at least two polypeptides, each polypeptide having a molecular weight of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel, wherein the polypeptides having a molecular weight of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa are expressed by a Yersinia pestis at a greater level when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator than when grown in the media without the iron chelator, and wherein the at least two polypeptides having molecular weights of 94 kDa, 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa have seroreactive activity with convalescent serum from an animal infected with Y. pestis strain KIM6+.
 68. The composition of claim 67 wherein: the 94 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 961.44, 1167.49, 1257.64, 1371.63, 1383.64, 1408.71, 1520.82, 1668.86, 1685.79, 1713.78, 1716.81, 1796.92, 1832.92, 1844.91, 2218.12, and 2426.09 Da; the 88 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 888.51, 926.46, 945.53, 960.54, 1171.60, 1176.57, 1289.64, 1332.67, 1357.66, 1403.74, 1418.68, 1507.73, 1578.78, 1672.80, 1735.83, 2400.17, and 2665.28 Da; the 77 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 686.37, 784.49, 858.41, 952.50, 1140.65, 1155.66, 1170.64, 1197.57, 1402.71, 1408.68, 1482.73, 1522.71, 1550.77, 1617.74, 1674.78, 1745.84, 1787.92, 1819.96, 1851.87, 1940.75, 2013.02, 2017.97, 2056.96, 2168.01, 2169.10, 2426.25, 2457.00, and 2828.33 Da; the 73 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 628.39, 748.43, 909.42, 930.51, 1291.71, 1370.81, 1440.70, 1478.71, 1586.83, 1604.86, 1640.87, 1654.77, 1705.82, 1707.83, 1757.91, 1796.97, 1856.01, 1912.94, 2004.03, 2072.02, 2155.08, 2301.07, 2395.11, 2484.12, 2557.36, 2557.36, 2675.42, 2983.33, 3161.51, 3184.52, 3424.79, and 3471.62 Da; and the 64 kDa polypeptide has a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having masses of 713.42, 759.42, 773.40, 806.41, 919.48, 1023.50, 1051.53, 1102.55, 1164.56, 1186.57, 1199.60, 1281.67, 1394.68, 1444.73, 1479.70, 1545.80, 1667.72, 1692.82, 1730.85, 1789.81, 1904.85, 1968.90, 1981.02, 2009.89, 2027.02, 2058.99, 2162.17, 2363.13, 2377.30, 2819.49, and 2929.46 Da.
 69. The composition of claim 67 further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 70. The composition of claim 67 wherein the polypeptides are isolatable from Y. pestis strain KIM6+.
 71. A composition comprising: isolated antibody that specifically binds to at least two polypeptides, each polypeptide having a molecular weight of 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa, wherein molecular weight is determined by electrophoresis on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel, wherein the polypeptides having a molecular weight of 88 kDa, 77 kDa, 73 kDa, or 64 kDa are expressed by a Yersinia pestis at a greater level when incubated in media comprising an iron chelator than when grown in the media without the iron chelator.
 72. The composition of claim 71 wherein: the polypeptide with a molecular weight of 88 kDa comprises the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:243, SEQ ID NO:244, SEQ ID NO:245, SEQ ID NO:246, SEQ ID NO:247, SEQ ID NO:248, SEQ ID NO:249, SEQ ID NO:250, SEQ ID NO:251, SEQ ID NO:252, SEQ ID NO:253, SEQ ID NO:254, SEQ ID NO:255, SEQ ID NO:256, SEQ ID NO:257, SEQ ID NO:258, and SEQ ID NO:259; the polypeptide with a molecular weight of 77 kDa comprises the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:260, SEQ ID NO:261, SEQ ID NO:262, SEQ ID NO:263, SEQ ID NO:264, SEQ ID NO:265, SEQ ID NO:266, SEQ ID NO:267, SEQ ID NO:268, SEQ ID NO:269, SEQ ID NO:270, SEQ ID NO:271, SEQ ID NO:272, SEQ ID NO:273, SEQ ID NO:274, SEQ ID NO:275, SEQ ID NO:276, SEQ ID NO:277, SEQ ID NO:278, SEQ ID NO:279, SEQ ID NO:280, SEQ ID NO:281, SEQ ID NO:282, SEQ ID NO:283, SEQ ID NO:284, SEQ ID NO:285, SEQ ID NO:286, and SEQ ID NO:287; the polypeptide with a molecular weight of 73 kDa comprises the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:288, SEQ ID NO:289, SEQ ID NO:290, SEQ ID NO:291, SEQ ID NO:292, SEQ ID NO:293, SEQ ID NO:294, SEQ ID NO:295, SEQ ID NO:296, SEQ ID NO:297, SEQ ID NO:298, SEQ ID NO:299, SEQ ID NO:300, SEQ ID NO:301, SEQ ID NO:302, SEQ ID NO:303, SEQ ID NO:304, SEQ ID NO:305, SEQ ID NO:306, SEQ ID NO:307, SEQ ID NO:308, SEQ ID NO:309, SEQ ID NO:310, SEQ ID NO:311, SEQ ID NO:312, SEQ ID NO:313, SEQ ID NO:314, SEQ ID NO:315, SEQ ID NO:316, SEQ ID NO:317, and SEQ ID NO:318; and the polypeptide with a molecular weight of 64 kDa comprises the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO:319, SEQ ID NO:320, SEQ ID NO:321, SEQ ID NO:322, SEQ ID NO:323, SEQ ID NO:324, SEQ ID NO:325, SEQ ID NO:326, SEQ ID NO:327, SEQ ID NO:328, SEQ ID NO:329, SEQ ID NO:330, SEQ ID NO:331, SEQ ID NO:332, SEQ ID NO:333, SEQ ID NO:334, SEQ ID NO:335, SEQ ID NO:336, SEQ ID NO:337, SEQ ID NO:338, SEQ ID NO:339, SEQ ID NO:340, SEQ ID NO:341, SEQ ID NO:342, SEQ ID NO:343, SEQ ID NO:344, SEQ ID NO:345, SEQ ID NO:346, SEQ ID NO:347, SEQ ID NO:348, and SEQ ID NO:349.
 73. The composition of claim 72 further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 74. The composition of claim 72 wherein the polypeptides are isolatable from Y. pestis strain KIM6+. 